Self-locking retaining ring with dimple locking mechanism

Abstract

The present invention relates to a self-locking retaining ring having a dimple locking mechanism, which can include a first flat metal ring including dimples, and a second flat metal ring formed on top of the first ring. A slot is formed in the second ring, which is adapted so that the dimples reside within the slot.

Description

[0001] Cross-reference to related applications

[0002] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 073,619, filed September 2, 2020, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Technical Field

[0003] This technology generally relates to retaining rings that can be used externally on a shaft or internally in a housing bore (also referred to as a hole). Background Technology

[0004] Typically, a retaining ring is a fastening device that is fitted onto a shaft or into a bore to hold components in an axial position. Several types of retaining rings exist. Examples of retaining rings include, but are not limited to, "elastic circlips" stamped from sheet or strip of metal, "spiral" retaining rings formed from flat wire and which can be single or multiple turns, and "round wire" retaining rings formed from round wire. Retaining rings typically have an axial thickness that is less than their radial width. This means that the distance these clips extend in the direction perpendicular to the shaft or bore where they are mounted (i.e., radial width) is greater than the distance they extend along the shaft or bore (i.e., axial thickness).

[0005] Traditional retaining rings are positioned in grooves pre-machined into the outer surface of the shaft or the inner surface of the bore. When installed in its operating position within the groove, the ring forms a shoulder over which components ride, thus preventing axial movement of these components through the ring. Traditional retaining rings are designed to withstand thrust loads in the purely axial direction. Summary of the Invention

[0006] According to a first aspect of the present invention, a self-locking retaining ring is provided, the self-locking retaining ring comprising: a first ring of flat metal including a recess; and a second ring of flat metal formed on the first ring, wherein a slot is formed in the second ring, the slot being adapted such that the recess resides within the slot.

[0007] According to a second aspect of the invention, a self-locking retaining ring is provided, the self-locking retaining ring comprising: a first ring of flat metal including a first recess integrally formed on the metal; and a second ring of flat metal formed on the first ring, wherein a second recess is formed within the second ring, the second recess being configured to engage the first recess to lock the retaining ring. Attached Figure Description

[0008] The various objects, features and advantages of the disclosed subject matter can be more fully understood when considered in conjunction with the following detailed description of the disclosed subject matter, in which the same reference numerals identify the same elements.

[0009] Figure 1 This illustrates ring twisting / dishing in the prior art.

[0010] Figure 2 The deformation of the groove wall in the prior art is shown.

[0011] Figure 3 A prior art ring is shown for use with components having chamfered edges.

[0012] Figure 4 A prior art ring is shown for use with components having rounded edges.

[0013] Figure 5 and Figure 6 A prior art ring is shown for use with components of a contact ring.

[0014] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of a prior art ring installed in a groove in a shaft.

[0015] Figure 8 An example centerline (CL) type self-locking ring is shown.

[0016] Figure 9 An example of an outer diameter (OD) type self-locking ring is shown.

[0017] Figure 10 The lugs of a prior art ring that engage with the slot wall are shown.

[0018] Figure 11 A prior art ring protruding from a groove is shown.

[0019] Figure 12 An outer ring with self-locking features is shown.

[0020] Figure 13 An internal ring with self-locking features is shown.

[0021] Figure 14 The automatic installation process of the external self-locking ring is shown.

[0022] Figure 15 The automatic installation process of the internal self-locking ring is shown.

[0023] Figure 16 The installation steps for a self-locking ring with lugs are shown.

[0024] Figure 17The manual installation process for the outer ring is shown.

[0025] Figure 18 The manual installation process for the inner ring is shown.

[0026] Figures 19 to 21 A prior art self-locking ring with lugs is shown.

[0027] Figure 22 The defects of the self-locking ring with lugs are shown.

[0028] Figure 23 A self-locking retaining ring with a recessed locking mechanism according to some embodiments of the present disclosure is shown.

[0029] Figure 24 A side view of a recessed locking mechanism according to some embodiments of the present disclosure is shown.

[0030] Figure 25 A side view of a self-locking ring with lugs is shown.

[0031] Figure 26 Another view of a recessed locking mechanism according to some embodiments of the present disclosure is shown.

[0032] Figures 27 to 31 Further embodiments of the recess locking mechanism according to some embodiments of the present disclosure are shown.

[0033] Figure 32 A bulging variant of a ring with a pit locking mechanism according to some embodiments of the present disclosure is shown.

[0034] Figure 33 Another view of a ring with a recessed locking mechanism according to some embodiments of the present disclosure is shown. Detailed Implementation

[0035] It is generally desirable that the retaining ring be removable. Therefore, a component held in place by the retaining ring on the shaft can be removed from the shaft by first removing the retaining ring from a groove in the shaft and then sliding the component through the groove where the retaining ring is positioned. The same applies to components held in place by retaining rings in holes, except that the ring is removed from a groove in the hole.

[0036] The design of the groove where the retaining ring is positioned is usually determined by the construction of the selected retaining ring.

[0037] In general applications, the thrust resistance of a retaining ring installed in a groove increases with the groove depth. This is primarily because shallower grooves can cause the ring to twist or bulge under load. For example, Figure 1A typical retaining ring 1 is illustrated in a groove on shaft 2, with a thrust load applied by component 3. When component 3 applies a thrust load to retaining ring 1, the retaining ring moves to position 1a, causing component 3 to undergo an axial displacement X. As the load is further applied to ring 1, the groove continues to deform rapidly, the disengagement of ring 1 increases, and ring 1 eventually contacts and bulges against the groove wall, leading to failure upon extrusion of ring 1.

[0038] Deformation of the groove wall, for example, in Figure 2 As illustrated, component 5 applies a thrust load to a retaining ring 6 positioned in a groove in shaft 4. The retaining ring 6 bulges out by an amount D, causing shaft deformation 7. This bulging is the most common failure mode for any rectangular cross-section retaining ring. Groove deformation, such as…, can occur when the shaft or bore is formed of materials such as aluminum, cold-rolled steel, low-carbon steel, mild steel, or other softer materials. Figure 2 The deformation shown is illustrated. In cases like this, design engineers often specify custom rings specifically for deeper grooves or thicker rings to accommodate wider grooves, thus providing high thrust resistance. These rings are more difficult to remove from the grooves and are often damaged during removal or reinstallation.

[0039] Many ring manufacturers offer retainer ring options for different thrust capacities. In light-duty applications, the groove depth will be shallower than that used in other rings designed to handle higher thrust capacities. Groove standards were established many years ago by US military and aircraft specifications. Many retainer ring manufacturers use these specifications for imperial ring manufacturing. Many years ago, DIN standards for retainer ring grooves were also established in Europe as European engineering standards, and many OEMs have adopted these metric specifications as standards. In either standard, both the retainer ring and the groove are designed to handle heavy thrust loads. Therefore, most retainer rings specified worldwide are designed using established heavy thrust capacity applications according to world standards.

[0040] The radial width of the component held on the shaft or within the bore is typically greater than the radial portion of the retaining ring, which extends radially beyond the shaft or bore, with the retaining ring situated within a groove in the shaft or bore. The surface of the component contacting the ring is typically flat and presses evenly across the entire radial portion of the retaining ring. However, in some applications, the component pressing against the retaining ring may not have a flat surface, or may have a radius or chamfer that unevenly presses against the radial portion of the ring. Examples of this include components with chamfered or rounded edges, and components that are not concentric with the shaft or bore, resulting in a gap between the two components.

[0041] like Figure 3 As shown, for example, the retaining ring 9 is located in a groove on the shaft 8, and the component 10 with a chamfered edge contacts the retaining ring 9. Figure 4In this configuration, the retaining ring 12 is located in a groove on the shaft 11, and the component 13 with rounded edges contacts the retaining ring 12. Figure 5 In this configuration, retaining ring 15 is located in a groove on shaft 14, with component 16 in contact with the retaining ring. A gap C exists between component 16 and shaft 14. Figure 6 An example is shown of a retaining ring 18 located in a groove on shaft 17 and a component 19 in contact with the retaining ring 18. The two sides of the groove in shaft 17 are uneven, resulting in a step of magnitude S between one side of the groove and the other side. Figures 3 to 6 In the cases shown, lever arms are generated, which can cause the rings (e.g., rings 1, 6, 9, 12, 15, and / or 18) to bulge and eventually lead to ring failure. In this situation, the ends of the rings also move, further exacerbating the problem. Typically, mechanical design aims to avoid this situation.

[0042] For external retaining rings that operate in grooves cut into the shaft, rotational speed can be another factor leading to ring failure. Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of a ring mounted in a groove in a shaft. Factors such as material thickness 20, radial wall 21, diameter 23, cling (the amount of interference with the groove, not shown), and groove depth 22 all affect the rotational speed at which the ring expands out of the groove and eventually fails. To increase the rotational capacity of the helical retaining ring, locking features can be added to improve the rotational speed. Several types of locking features have been introduced into the market. One of these locking features is a self-locking feature, which includes lugs that interlock with the slot. Two examples of this self-locking feature are shown below. Figure 8 and Figure 9 As shown. Specifically, Figure 8 An example of a centerline (CL) type self-locking ring is shown, and Figure 9 An example of an outer diameter (OD) type self-locking ring is shown.

[0043] Figure 10 This illustrates the lugs of a prior art ring that engage with the slot wall, which is Figure 9 and Figure 10 The problem encountered by the ring. When the ring rotates and approaches the rotational speed at which it begins to expand from the groove due to centrifugal force, the lug 24 engages with the slot wall 25. This engagement prevents the ring from opening further and also holds the ends of the ring in place to prevent them from moving. Holding the ends of the ring not only prevents expansion but also significantly increases the ring's rotational capacity. However, this engagement cannot prevent the ring from expanding indefinitely. Depending on the ring's parameters, the ring will eventually reach a rotational speed at which the self-locking feature no longer prevents expansion. At this point, the ring has fully expanded out of the groove, leading to ring failure.

[0044] The same concept of extending the rotational capacity of a spiral retaining ring can also be used to help prevent the end of the retaining ring from coming out of the groove due to excessive vibration or impact loads as described above. For example, vibration and impact loads can cause the ring to bulge out of the groove. Figure 11 An example of a ring emerging from a groove is shown. As the ring begins to bulge, ring 49 slides past ring 50 and eventually emerges from the groove. By using a self-locking feature to lock the ends in place, the rings (rings 49 and 50) become more difficult to slide and bulge from the groove. In these cases, the self-locking feature can be used... Figure 12 External self-locking ring 51 or Figure 13 The internal self-locking ring 52.

[0045] However, the current self-locking retaining ring design described in this paper has many limitations. For example, self-locking rings with locking lugs can be difficult to install when using automatic or semi-automatic installation methods. In particular, Figure 14 The automatic installation process of the external self-locking ring is shown, and Figure 15 The automatic installation process of the internal self-locking ring is shown.

[0046] When the outer ring 28 is installed, it expands on the tapered plug 26 to fit into the groove 53 cut in the shaft 27, as... Figure 14 As shown. This is done by using a hardened plug 26 with a tapered outer diameter and aligning it with a shaft 27 having a groove 53 in which the ring 28 will be installed. The ring 28 is aligned on the tapered plug 26 and pressed along the axis of the plug 26 by a plunger 29, thereby being guided onto the shaft 27. The taper on the plug 26 facilitates installation by gradually increasing the diameter of the ring 28 to the diameter of the shaft 27. Once the ring 28 is on the shaft 27, it will be pressed until it is fully engaged in the groove 53. For self-locking rings with lugs (see...), Figures 19 to 20 The lug may engage prematurely in the corresponding slot on ring 28, thus preventing further expansion and also preventing mounting to the shaft before engaging into the groove. In this case, if excessive force is applied, the lug may yield and no longer engage properly in the slot, or the lug may break. In either case, the self-locking feature will not function.

[0047] For internal self-locking rings (e.g., Figure 15The same applies to ring 32. The inner ring 32 is compressed into a tapered sleeve 30, which guides the ring 32 into a groove 64 cut into the bore 31. This is done by aligning the hardened sleeve 30, with its tapered inner diameter, with the bore 31 having the groove 64 into which the ring 32 will be installed. The ring 32 is aligned in the tapered sleeve 30 and pressed along the axis of the sleeve 30 by the plunger 33, thereby being guided into the bore 31. The taper in the sleeve 30 facilitates installation by gradually reducing the diameter of the ring 32 to the diameter of the bore 31. Once the ring 32 is in the bore 31, it is pressed until it is fully engaged in the groove 64. Premature engagement of the groove and lug may also occur in this case, leading to the same possible failure mode as the external self-locking retaining ring.

[0048] Retaining rings are typically used by positioning a retaining ring in a groove located on a shaft or within a hole. In various applications, retaining rings can be used to hold components near a shaft or hole, thereby forming an assembly. Such an assembly may include: a groove for receiving the retaining ring, located on a shaft or within a hole; the retaining ring; and a component in contact with the retaining ring, which is held near the shaft or hole by the retaining ring.

[0049] In some implementations, such as Figure 16 As shown, installing a self-locking ring with lugs typically involves gently tapping the rear end of the ring with a small hammer to engage the lugs and slots in the groove. This usually occurs when installing the ring manually, as... Figure 17 and Figure 18 As shown. Specifically, Figure 17 The manual installation process for the outer ring is shown, and Figure 18 The manual installation process for the inner ring is shown.

[0050] When installing the outer rings onto the shaft by hand, the installation is done by unwinding the loops and wrapping them around the shaft (see...). Figure 17 The first end of the retaining ring to reach the groove should be positioned to engage with the groove in the shaft, so that when the remaining rings are wound around the groove, they can be fully pressed into the groove and snapped into place, thus completing the installation. The same method is performed for the inner ring installed in the hole, except that the ring is wound and compressed into the groove within the hole (see...). Figure 18 ).

[0051] Figures 19 to 21 A prior art self-locking ring with lugs is shown. The lugs (e.g., raised portions) of each ring encounter the various difficulties described herein. Furthermore, Figures 19 to 21 The lugs are typically manufactured using a punch that cuts into the material and bends the lug upwards. The end of this cut acts as a stress-increasing portion R( Figure 21This could be the cause of lug failure. If the lug deforms or bends during installation, causing it to no longer protrude from the plane of the ring material, such as... Figure 22 As shown, the bulge may no longer be effective.

[0052] Therefore, embodiments of this disclosure relate to a self-locking retaining ring with a recessed locking mechanism. The disclosed ring uses a recess or dome instead of a lug, and such a dome / recess offers various advantages over lugs. For example, deformation is less likely to occur using the disclosed recessed mechanism. For example, the disclosed recessed mechanism is more durable than a lug. There is no significant stress rise that could lead to premature failure, as seen in a lug. The disclosed recessed mechanism is not created by cutting or piercing the material, therefore it does not cause the stress rise seen in a lug. Furthermore, the disclosed recessed mechanism is less prone to deformation and ineffectiveness during installation than a lug.

[0053] The implementation described herein is typically used in cases where a rotating shaft exists and a retaining ring is used to capture another object residing on that shaft. If the rotational capacity of the retaining ring exceeds its limits (in standard or custom configurations), a recessed self-locking feature can be implemented on the ring to improve performance and meet rotational requirements. This feature can be implemented to reduce machining, assembly time, and / or the cost of more complex methods of retention on rotating shafts. An example of this is retaining components in high-speed spindle applications.

[0054] Another typical application of the disclosed principle under impact or vibration load conditions is to replace machined shoulders or retaining rings that have been brazed or welded into place in the shaft or bore to prevent the ring from bulging under impact or vibration loads. This can be achieved to reduce machining, assembly time, and / or the cost of more complex retaining methods in this application.

[0055] The dome / recess described in this article is designed to retain the end of the ring when engaged in a slot on the opposite ring of the retaining ring. Because the dome does not deform like a lug, removal is more difficult. The recessed self-locking ring can be used as an tamper-proof feature to prevent removal of the ring in external or internal applications.

[0056] Recessed self-locking rings can be made from materials commonly used in the retaining ring industry. This includes a variety of metals suitable for use in retaining rings. However, with the development of current and future technologies, this type of ring can be produced using other materials. Some examples of materials include, but are not limited to, plastics, composite materials, or other non-metallic materials.

[0057] The dome-shaped feature of this type of self-locking ring offers some potential improvements in manufacturing efficiency. The recessed self-locking feature and construction can provide a longer punch life because it does not cut through the material like a self-locking feature with lugs.

[0058] Figure 23 A self-locking retaining ring with a recessed locking mechanism 54 according to some embodiments of the present disclosure is shown. The disclosed self-locking ring utilizes a recess 54 (also referred to herein as a dome) instead of a raised lug. The purpose of the recessed self-locking feature 54 is to provide physical interference to limit the expansion or contraction of the ring. However, the disclosed recessed mechanism 54 also provides other benefits, including but not limited to the convenience of not yielding or breaking during installation, reduced tool wear, faster production speeds, and easier installation. The recessed self-locking feature helps increase the retaining ring's rotational capability in external or shaft applications. For shaft and bore applications, the recessed self-locking feature 54 can be used to prevent movement of the ring ends and to prevent expansion or contraction, thereby preventing the ring from bulging out of the recess when exposed to repetitive vibration or impact loads.

[0059] Figure 24 A side view of a recess locking mechanism 54 according to some embodiments of the present disclosure is shown, while Figure 25 A side view of a self-locking ring with lugs is shown. The ring with lugs includes lugs 55. In some embodiments, recesses 54 have the same height as lugs 55.

[0060] Figure 26 Another view of a recessed locking mechanism 54 according to some embodiments of the present disclosure is shown. Whether by rotation or by a load causing the ring to expand, the dome 54 begins to move toward the end of the slot 56. When the dome 54 engages the slot 56, the dome 54 is constrained. This prevents movement of the ring end and limits expansion. The shape of the dome 54 is formed by creating a notch (also called a recess) on the opposite side of the ring. The dome also facilitates installation because it does not act as a hard stop like a lug-like feature (see...). Figures 19 to 21 and Figure 25 The shape of the dome 54 helps to separate the rings during installation, rather than acting as a rigid stop like a lug, thus making installation easier. This, combined with the curved profile of the top of the dome 54, facilitates a smoother installation. However, once the dome is in the installed position, the dome 54 is restrained and captured by the slot 56, and the ring portion of the ring material (i.e., the ring) is held together by a tight fit within the groove. Furthermore, since the dome 54 cannot yield or break during installation, the possibility of the sheet becoming loose in the assembly is eliminated.

[0061] The recessed self-locking retaining ring disclosed herein can be installed manually, or automatically or semi-automatically, such as... Figures 14 to 15 and Figures 17 to 18 The process described in [the text]. The recessed self-locking ring is unlikely to require hammering to engage the dome and slot (see [the text]). Figure 16Knocking is an additional step in assembling the ring. Removing knocking from the assembly process has proven beneficial when using automatic or semi-automatic methods to install the ring. During installation, the recessed self-locking feature does not engage with the slot in the same way as the lug, and facilitates easier bypassing of the slot around the recess until both properly engage when installed in the groove.

[0062] Variations in the dome's profile and position are possible. For example, Figures 27 to 31 Further embodiments of the recess locking mechanism according to some embodiments of the present disclosure are shown. Figure 27 Circular and dome-shaped recesses 34, elliptical recesses 35, square recesses 36, rectangular recesses 37, trapezoidal recesses 38 and triangular recesses 39 are shown, but the disclosed embodiments are not limited to these shapes and various other shapes also work.

[0063] Figure 28 Multiple domes (e.g., domes 57 and 58) are shown to be used in conjunction with one or more slots (e.g., slot 59) to hold the ends of the ring and prevent expansion. In some embodiments, variations of slot 59 are also possible. The slot is simply an opening in the ring to capture the dome and provide a mating surface to the dome to inhibit expansion or compression of the ring.

[0064] exist Figure 29 In this design, the length and width of the slot 59 can vary according to design parameters. For example, the shape of the slot can also vary from an ellipse 40, a rectangle 41, or a circular hole 42, but the disclosed embodiments are not limited to these shapes and various other shapes can also work. Figure 30 In this configuration, the slot 59 can be positioned along the centerline 43 of the ring material or slightly off-center from the centerline 46. With one side of the slot fully open, the slot can also be located outside the radial width 44 or inside the radial width 45 of the radial wall. The positions of the dome 54 and the slot 59 are not limited to the ends of the ring material. The dome 54 and the slot 59 can reside in different planes and configurations, as long as the dome 54 can be captured by the slot 59 and positioned such that the contact between the dome 54 and the slot 59 provides interference when the ring expands, preventing external ring expansion or internal ring compression. Instead of the slot 59, a larger recess 60 can be used, such as... Figure 31 As shown. This applies as long as the dome that mates with the slot can be fitted into the notch and provide a proper fit.

[0065] The concept of pit self-locking can also be used Figure 32 A bulging variant of the retaining ring. This can also be called a bulging retaining ring. Although the ring itself is conical, the flattened loops of the wire are parallel to each other. This allows the pitted self-locking feature to operate in the same way as the flat retaining ring.

[0066] like Figure 33 As shown, Figure 33 Another view of ring 47 with a recessed locking mechanism is shown. The recessed self-locking ring design is such that the helical retaining ring is modified to have slots of a certain shape and size, typically located at each end of the ring 47 (although the slots may also be located at other locations on the ring). Corresponding to each slot are domes or mounds of some shape or form, which reside within and ultimately engage with the slots, thereby preventing further expansion of the retaining ring. Expansion can be caused by rotational forces, vibrational loads, or impact loads applied to the retaining ring.

[0067] As can be understood from the foregoing, although specific embodiments of the invention have been described herein for illustrative purposes, various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Therefore, the foregoing specific embodiments are intended to be illustrative rather than restrictive, and it should be understood that the claims (including all equivalents) are intended to specifically point out and clearly claim protection for the subject matter considered to be the invention.

Claims

1. A self-locking retaining ring, the self-locking retaining ring comprising: The first ring of the flat metal includes a recess, the recess including a top with a curved profile; as well as A second ring of flat metal, which is formed on top of the first ring. In the second ring, a slot is formed, the slot being adapted such that the curved profile of the recess resides within a portion of the slot and moves within the slot, the slot including a mating surface for the curved profile, and the contact between the slot and the recess at the mating surface being configured to provide physical interference to limit the expansion or contraction of the ring.

2. The self-locking retaining ring according to claim 1, wherein, The mating surface includes a slot wall configured to engage the recess to lock the retaining ring.

3. The self-locking retaining ring according to claim 1, wherein, The retaining ring is an outer ring and is configured to be mounted on the outside of the shaft.

4. The self-locking retaining ring according to claim 1, wherein, The retaining ring is an inner ring and is configured to fit inside the hole.

5. The self-locking retaining ring according to claim 1, wherein, The recess includes at least one of the following: circular, elliptical, square, rectangular, trapezoidal, or triangular.

6. The self-locking retaining ring according to claim 1, wherein, The recess includes a top with a curved profile on a first side of the first ring of metal and a notch on a second side of the first ring of metal.

7. The self-locking retaining ring according to claim 1, wherein, The slot includes at least one of an ellipse, a rectangle, or a circle.

8. The self-locking retaining ring according to claim 1, wherein, The slot is positioned along the center line of the second ring of the flat metal.

9. The self-locking retaining ring according to claim 1, wherein, The slot is positioned offset from the center line of the second ring of the flat metal.

10. A self-locking retaining ring, the self-locking retaining ring comprising: The first ring of the flat metal includes a first recess integrally formed on the metal, the first recess including a top having a curved profile; as well as A second ring of flat metal is formed on top of the first ring, wherein a second recess is formed within the second ring, the second recess being configured to engage the first recess to lock the retaining ring.

11. The self-locking retaining ring according to claim 10, wherein, The retaining ring is an outer ring and is configured to be mounted on the outside of the shaft.

12. The self-locking retaining ring according to claim 10, wherein, The retaining ring is an inner ring and is configured to fit inside the hole.

13. The self-locking retaining ring according to claim 10, wherein, The first recess includes a top with a curved profile on a first side of the first ring of metal and a notch on a second side of the first ring of metal.

14. The self-locking retaining ring according to claim 10, wherein, The first recess includes at least one of the following: circular, elliptical, square, rectangular, trapezoidal, or triangular.

15. The self-locking retaining ring according to claim 10, wherein, The second recess is positioned along the center line of the second ring of the flat metal.

16. The self-locking retaining ring according to claim 10, wherein, The second recess is positioned offset from the center line of the second ring of the flat metal.

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