Wedge bearing for reciprocating and rotating applications

Abstract

A wedge bearing assembly includes a housing having a bore therein. A reciprocating lever having a polygonal cross-section extends through the aperture. A ring is mounted to the housing and includes a plurality of sloped surfaces adjacent to a central polygonal opening. A plurality of wedges are disposed against a respective one of the plurality of sloped surfaces, each of the plurality of wedges having an edge disposed against the rod. A gasket is disposed against the plurality of wedges, and an annular spring is disposed against the gasket. A tension ring is disposed against the ring spring.

Description

Field of the Invention

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a wedge bearing for reciprocating and rotating applications. Technical Background

[0002] This section provides background information related to the present disclosure which is not necessarily prior art.

[0003] Bearing assemblies are commonly used to support rotating and reciprocating shafts and rods. In some applications, the reciprocating rods are subject to torsional forces and temperature changes, which may tend to cause the reciprocating rod to bind. Summary of the invention

[0004] This section provides a general summary of the disclosure, and is not a comprehensive disclosure of its full scope or all of its features.

[0005] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a wedge bearing assembly includes a housing having a hole therein. A reciprocating rod having a polygonal cross-section extends through the hole. A ring is mounted to the housing and includes a plurality of inclined surfaces adjacent to a central polygonal opening. A plurality of wedges are seated against a respective one of the plurality of inclined surfaces, each of the plurality of wedges having an edge seated against the rod. A washer is seated against the plurality of wedges, and an annular spring is seated against the washer. A tension ring is seated against the annular spring.

[0006] According to a further aspect, a sealing member is disposed between the tension ring and the reciprocating rod.

[0007] According to a further aspect, the annular spring is one of a wave spring, a Belleville washer, an elastic energizer or other springs.

[0008] According to a further aspect, the polygonal cross-section is a square.

[0009] According to further aspects, the plurality of inclined surfaces includes four inclined surfaces and the plurality of wedges includes four wedges.

[0010] According to a further aspect, the tension ring is threadably connected to the wedge ring.

[0011] According to a further aspect, the sealing member is retained within the cavity of the tension ring by a snap ring.

[0012] According to a further aspect, the sealing member includes a pair of diagonal sealing lips.

[0013] According to a further aspect, the sealing member includes a sealing housing supporting the pair of diagonal sealing lips.

[0014] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a wedge bearing assembly includes a housing having a hole therein; and a reciprocating rod having a square cross-section and extending through the hole. A ring is mounted to the housing and includes four inclined surfaces adjacent to the square opening. Four wedges are each seated against a respective one of the four inclined surfaces. Each of the four wedges has an edge seated against the rod. A washer is seated against the four wedges, and an annular spring is seated against the washer. A tension ring is seated against the annular spring. The wedges can be connected together by including a thin connector (as a ring) between the four wedges so as to become one piece. The four inclined surfaces can be formed by another four wedges.

[0015] Further areas of applicability of the present disclosure will become apparent from the detailed description, claims and drawings.The detailed description and specific examples are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] The present disclosure may be more fully understood from the following detailed description and accompanying drawings, in which:

[0017] Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view of a wedge-type bearing cartridge according to the principles of the present disclosure;

[0018] Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view of a wedge-type bearing frame according to the principles of the present disclosure;

[0019] Figure 3 It is a perspective view of a wedge-type bearing frame;

[0020] Figure 4 is a perspective view of a wedge ring, wedge, washer and spring prior to assembly into a housing in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure;

[0021] Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of a second embodiment of a wedge-type bearing carrier according to the principles of the present disclosure;

[0022] Figure 6 is a cut-away perspective view of a second embodiment of a wedge-type bearing carrier according to the principles of the present disclosure, with a sealing member removed for illustration purposes;

[0023] Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view of a wedge-type bearing carrier according to an alternative embodiment;

[0024] Figure 8 is an exploded perspective view of a wedge-type bearing frame with a sealed housing and assembly aids according to the principles of the present disclosure;

[0025] Fig. 9yes Figure 8 A perspective view of a wedge-type bearing carrier shown partially assembled;

[0026] Fig.10 yes Fig. 9 a cross-sectional perspective view of a partially assembled wedge-type bearing frame; and

[0027] Fig.11 yes Figure 8 A perspective view of the assembled wedge-type bearing frame.

[0028] Corresponding reference numerals indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views of the drawings. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0029] Example embodiments will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0030] refer to Figures 1 to 4 , a wedge-type bearing frame assembly 10 according to the principles of the present disclosure will now be described. The wedge-type bearing frame assembly 10 includes a housing 12 having a square or polygonal hole 14 therethrough. A reciprocating rod 16 having a square or polygonal cross-section extends through the square or polygonal hole 14. The present disclosure and the accompanying drawings show a square rod and a square hole, but other polygonal shapes, such as triangles, rectangles, pentagons, may also be used. The square or polygonal cross-section of the reciprocating rod 16 and the square or polygonal hole 14 may include rounded corners. One axial end 12a of the housing 12 may be configured to be connected to another component, such as but not limited to a robotic arm. A second axial end 12b of the housing 12 may include an annular rim 18 defining a cavity 20. The reciprocating rod 16 may have a first end 16a configured to be connected to a driving member and a second end 16b configured to be connected to a driven member.

[0031] The wedge ring 22 is received in the cavity 20 of the housing 12. The wedge ring 22 may be press-fitted within the cavity 20. The wedge ring 22 includes a square hole 24 therethrough for receiving the reciprocating rod 16. The wedge ring 22 also includes four inclined surfaces 26, each of which is adjacent to a respective side of the square hole 24. The four inclined surfaces 26 may form an angle "a" between 10 and 35 degrees with respect to a central axis perpendicular to the reciprocating rod 16. More specifically, the four inclined surfaces 26 may form an angle "a" of approximately 15 degrees with respect to a central axis perpendicular to the reciprocating rod 16. The wedge ring 22 may also include an axially extending flange 28 having an externally threaded surface 30. The four inclined surfaces 26 may be integrally formed with the wedge ring 22, or as Figure 8 As shown in FIG. 1 , four separate wedge-shaped members 26 ′ may be formed.

[0032] like Figure 2, four wedges 32 are seated against the four inclined surfaces 26 of the wedge ring 22. The four wedges 32 have a triangular cross-section with a narrow outer edge 32a and a relatively wide inner edge 32b that extend along the edge of the square hole 24 and engage the corresponding sides of the reciprocating rod 16. A washer 34 is seated against the four wedges 32. A spring 36 is seated against the washer 34 for biasing the four wedges 32 against the inclined surfaces 26. The spring 36 may include a wave spring as shown, or may take an alternative form, such as a Belleville washer, an elastic energizer, a coil spring, or other spring.

[0033] The tension ring 40 seats against the spring 36. The tension ring 40 may include an annular flange 42 having an inner threaded surface 44 that threadably engages the outer threaded surface 30 of the wedge ring 22. The tension ring 40 has an aperture 46 therethrough that defines an annular cavity 48 that supports a sealing member 50 that slidingly engages the reciprocating rod 16. The tension ring 40 may include a flat portion 52 to facilitate rotation of the tension ring relative to the wedge ring 22 to adjust the spring force against the wedge 32. The inclined surface 26, together with the spring 36, allows the wedge 32 to be biased radially inwardly against the reciprocating rod 16 to provide a bearing surface for guiding the reciprocating rod 16 through the wedge bearing frame assembly 10. The tension ring 40 may include a tapered outer surface 54 that provides an axial stop surface against the annular rim 18 of the housing 12.

[0034] The wedge-type bearing carrier assembly 10 may be assembled as a unit before installation in the housing 12. The wedge ring 22 may be provided with holes 56 for retaining the wedge ring 22 prior to press-fit assembly into the housing 12 during assembly with the tension ring 40.

[0035] The sealing member 50 may take alternative forms. The sealing member may include a pair of sealing lips 60 that engage the reciprocating rod 16. Figures 5 and 6 In an embodiment of the present invention, the sealing member 50' may include a sealing housing 62 retained within a cavity 64 of the tension ring 40' by a snap ring 66. An O-ring 68 may be received in a recessed annular groove 70 in an outer surface of the sealing housing and engage an inner surface of the annular flange 42'. The sealing member 50' also includes a pair of sealing lips 60 secured to the sealing housing 62. The pair of sealing lips 60 are diagonal sealing lips that slide along the surface of the reciprocating rod 16.

[0036] Compared to a solid annular bearing, the wedge-type bearing carrier assembly 10 is able to perform its bearing function while providing improved performance in accommodating temperature changes and rotational forces.

[0037] refer to Figures 8 to 11 , a wedge-type bearing carrier assembly 110 according to an alternative embodiment will now be described. Fig.11As shown in , the wedge-type bearing frame assembly 110 includes a housing 112 having a square or polygonal hole 114 extending therethrough. A reciprocating rod 116 having a square or polygonal cross-section extends through the square or polygonal hole 114. The present disclosure and the accompanying drawings show a square rod and a square hole, but other polygonal shapes, such as triangles, rectangles, pentagons, may also be used. The square or polygonal cross-section of the reciprocating rod 116 and the square or polygonal hole 114 may include rounded corners. One axial end 112a of the housing 112 may be configured to be connected to another component, such as but not limited to a robotic arm. The second axial end 112b of the housing 112 may include an annular rim 118 that defines a cavity 120. The reciprocating rod 116 may have a first end 116a configured to be connected to a driving member and a second end 116b configured to be connected to a driven member.

[0038] The cavity 120 includes four inclined surfaces 126 each adjacent to a respective side of the square hole 114. The four inclined surfaces 126 may be at an angle "a" between 10 and 35 degrees with respect to the central axis perpendicular to the reciprocating rod 116. More specifically, the four inclined surfaces 126 may be at an angle "a" of about 15 degrees with respect to the central axis perpendicular to the reciprocating rod 116. The annular rim 118 of the housing 112 may also include an external threaded surface 130. The four inclined surfaces 126 may be integrally formed with the housing 112, or may be formed as four separate wedge-shaped pieces.

[0039] like Figure 8 As best shown in FIG. 1 , four wedges 132 are seated against the four inclined surfaces 126 of the housing 112. The four wedges 132 have a triangular cross-section with narrow outer edges and relatively wider inner edges that extend along the edges of the square hole 124 and engage the respective sides of the reciprocating rod 116. Washers 134 are seated against the four wedges 132. Springs 136 may be seated against the washers 134 for biasing the four wedges 132 against the inclined surfaces 126. The springs 136 may include wave springs as shown, or may take alternative forms such as Belleville washers, elastic energizers, coil springs, or other springs.

[0040] The tension ring 140 is seated against the spring 136. The tension ring 140 may include an annular flange 142 having an inner threaded surface 144 that threadably engages the outer threaded surface 130 of the housing 112. The tension ring 140 has an aperture 146 therethrough that defines an annular cavity 148 that supports a sealing member 150 that slidingly engages the reciprocating rod 116. The outer surface of the tension ring 140 may include a flat portion 152 to facilitate rotation of the tension ring relative to the housing 112 to adjust the spring force against the wedge 132. The inclined surface 126, together with the spring 136, allows the wedge 132 to be biased radially inwardly against the reciprocating rod 116 to provide a bearing surface for guiding the reciprocating rod 116 through the wedge bearing frame assembly 110.

[0041] The sealing member 150 may take alternative forms. The sealing member 150 may include a pair of sealing lips 160 that engage the reciprocating rod 116. The sealing member 150 may include a sealing housing 162 retained within a cavity 164 of the tension ring 140 by a snap ring 166. An O-ring 168 may be received in a recessed annular groove 170 in an outer surface of the sealing housing and engage an inner surface of the annular flange 142. The sealing member 150 also includes a pair of sealing lips 160 fixed to the sealing housing 162. The pair of sealing lips 160 are diagonal sealing lips that slide along the surface of the reciprocating rod 116.

[0042] refer to Fig. 9 and Fig.10 , an assembly aid 172 may be mounted to the reciprocating rod 116 for centering the reciprocating rod 116 relative to the seal housing 162 during alignment of the wedge 132. The assembly aid 172 may be attached by a set screw 174 and has a shape that matches the shape of the interior of the seal housing 162. After the wedge bearing carrier assembly 110 is assembled, the assembly aid 172 is removed from the reciprocating rod 116. The seal member 150 is then engaged with the seal housing 162.

[0043] Exemplary embodiments are provided so that the disclosure will be complete and the scope will be fully conveyed to those skilled in the art. A large number of specific details (such as examples of specific parts, devices and methods) are set forth to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiments of the present disclosure. It is obvious to those skilled in the art that the exemplary embodiments can be implemented in many different forms without having to adopt specific details, and any embodiment should not be interpreted as limiting the scope of the present disclosure. In some exemplary embodiments, well-known processes, well-known device structures and well-known technologies are not described in detail.

[0044] The terms used herein are only used for the purpose of describing specific exemplary embodiments and are not intended to be limiting. As used herein, the singular forms "one", "a kind of" and "said" may be intended to also include plural forms unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. The terms "include", "comprise" and "have" are inclusive, and therefore specify the presence of the features, integers, steps, operations, elements and / or parts, but do not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, parts and / or their groups. The method steps, processes and operations described herein should not be interpreted as needing to be performed in the particular order discussed or described, unless specifically indicated as the order of execution. It should also be understood that additional or alternative steps may be adopted.

[0045] When an element or layer is referred to as being "on another element or layer," "engaged to," "connected to," or "coupled to" another element or layer, it may be directly on, engaged to, connected to, or coupled to another element or layer, or there may be intervening elements or layers. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being "directly on another element or layer," "directly engaged to," "directly connected to," or "directly coupled to" another element or layer, there may be no intervening elements or layers. Other words used to describe the relationship between elements should be interpreted in a similar manner (e.g., "between" versus "directly between," "adjacent" versus "directly adjacent," etc.). As used herein, the term "and / or" includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

[0046] Although the terms first, second, third, etc. can be used to describe various elements, components, regions, layers and / or sections in this article, these elements, components, regions, layers and / or sections should not be limited by these terms. These terms may only be used to distinguish an element, component, region, layer or section from another region, layer or section. Terms such as "first", "second" and other numerical terms do not imply sequence or order when used in this article unless the context clearly indicates. Therefore, the first element, component, region, layer or section discussed below may be referred to as the second element, component, region, layer or section without departing from the teaching of the exemplary embodiment.

[0047] For ease of description, spatially relative terms such as "inside", "outside", "below", "below", "lower", "above", "upper", etc. may be used herein to describe the relationship of one element or feature relative to another one or more elements or features as shown in the figure. Spatially relative terms may be intended to also cover different orientations of the device in use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the figure. For example, if the device in the figure is turned over, the elements described as being "below" or "below" other elements or features will be oriented to be "above" other elements or features. Therefore, the exemplary term "below" can cover both the orientations of above and below. The device can be oriented in other ways (rotated 90 degrees or in other orientations), and the spatially relative descriptors used herein are also interpreted accordingly.

[0048] The above description of the embodiments has been provided for illustration and description purposes. The description is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the present disclosure. The individual elements or features of a particular embodiment are generally not limited to the particular embodiment, but are interchangeable where appropriate and can be used in selected embodiments, even if the embodiment is not specifically shown or described. Changes may also be made in many aspects as well. Such changes should not be considered as departing from the present disclosure, and all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the present disclosure.

Claims

1. A wedge bearing assembly, comprising: a housing having an aperture therein; a reciprocating rod extending through the aperture, the rod having a polygonal cross-section; A ring is mounted to the housing and includes a plurality of inclined surfaces adjacent to the central polygonal opening. a plurality of wedges, each of the plurality of wedges being disposed against a respective one of the plurality of inclined surfaces, each of the plurality of wedges having an edge disposed against the rod; a spring loaded washer seated against the plurality of wedges; as well as A tension ring seats against the spring loaded washer. 2 . The wedge bearing assembly according to claim 1 , further comprising a sealing member disposed between the tension ring and the reciprocating rod. 3 . The wedge bearing assembly of claim 1 , wherein the spring loaded washer comprises one of a wave spring, a Belleville washer, a coil spring, and a rubber elastomer.

4. The wedge bearing assembly of claim 1, wherein the polygonal cross-section is a square. 5 . The wedge bearing assembly of claim 4 , wherein the plurality of inclined surfaces comprises four inclined surfaces, and the plurality of wedges comprises four wedges.

6. The wedge bearing assembly of claim 5, wherein the plurality of inclined surfaces are formed by a first set of four wedges and the plurality of wedges includes a second set of four wedges.

7. The wedge-type bearing assembly of claim 1, wherein the tension ring is threadably connected to the wedge ring.

8. The wedge bearing assembly of claim 2, wherein the sealing member is retained within the cavity of the tension ring by a snap ring.

9. The wedge bearing assembly of claim 8, wherein the sealing member includes a pair of diagonal sealing lips.

10. The wedge bearing assembly of claim 9, wherein the sealing member includes a sealing housing supporting the pair of diagonal sealing lips.

11. The wedge bearing assembly of claim 1, wherein the plurality of wedges are made from one of bronze, steel, PTFE, plastic, and PEEK.

12. A wedge bearing assembly, comprising: a housing having an aperture therein; a reciprocating rod extending through the aperture, the rod having a square cross-section; a ring mounted to the housing and including four inclined surfaces adjacent to the square opening; four wedges, each of the four wedges being disposed against a respective one of the four inclined surfaces, each of the four wedges having an edge disposed against the rod; a spring loaded washer seated against the four wedges; as well as A tension ring seats against the spring loaded washer.

13. The wedge bearing assembly of claim 12, further comprising a sealing member disposed between the tension ring and the reciprocating rod.

14. The wedge bearing assembly of claim 12, wherein the spring loaded washer comprises one of a wave spring, a Belleville washer, a coil spring, and a rubber elastomer.

15. The wedge-type bearing assembly of claim 12, wherein the tension ring is threadably connected to the wedge ring.

16. The wedge bearing assembly of claim 13, wherein the sealing member is retained within the cavity of the tension ring by a snap ring.

17. The wedge bearing assembly of claim 16, wherein the sealing member includes a pair of diagonal sealing lips.

18. The wedge bearing assembly of claim 17, wherein the seal member includes a seal housing supporting the pair of diagonal sealing lips.

19. The wedge bearing assembly of claim 12, wherein the plurality of wedges are made from one of bronze, steel, PTFE, plastic, and PEEK.

20. The wedge bearing assembly of claim 12, wherein the four wedges comprise a first set of four wedges and the four inclined surfaces are formed by a second set of four wedges.

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