Bearing retaining plate

Abstract

An annular bearing retaining plate 50 for securing a bearing 60 to a bearing recess of housing 54 via bearing retaining shoulder groove 55, the retaining plate having annular ring 62, a fixing feature (fastener bolt bore hole 64) for fixing the plate axially and radially, and a contact portion 66 for engaging with the groove 55 of the housing, the fixing feature 64 and contact portion 66 are at different circumferential positions. The curvature of the plate outer circumference 62a may vary along the contact portion 66, reaching maximum curvature at the centre (c) of contact portion 66. Angle (a) of contact portion sector may be 90°-150°. A tool engagement recess hole 76 may assist alignment during assembly. Plate 50 may be a park lock ring retaining bearing 60 and gear shaft 56 to e.g. drive unit housing of a vehicle.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD The present disclosure relates to a bearing retaining plate for axially securing a shaft and bearing subassembly to a housing of a vehicle, a subassembly for axially securing to a housing of a vehicle, an electric drive unit (EDU) assembly for a vehicle and a method of installing a subassembly in a housing of an electric drive unit (EDU) assembly. BACKGROUND Driven by environmental, economic and technological factors, vehicles, for example automotive vehicles, are transitioning from diesel and petrol internal combustion engines (ICEs) towards more sustainable alternatives, such as battery electric vehicles (BEV) or hybrid electric vehicles (HEV). Such vehicles include an EDU assembly for providing tractive power to the wheels of the vehicle. The EDU assembly may include one or more components, for example gears and bearings. It is known to provide circlips to retain bearings in a desired position with respect to the EDU assembly. For example, when fixing a bearing in a gearbox, a circlip may be fixed to a gearbox housing after the bearing has been seated in a bearing seat of the gearbox housing. Such circlips are accessible from a side of the bearing such that the circlip can be resiliently deformed during assembly and disassembly of the bearing to the housing. Due to packaging constraints, accessibility to such circlips may be limited. It is an aim of the present invention to address one or more of the disadvantages associated with the prior art. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Aspects and embodiments of the invention provide a bearing retaining plate, a subassembly, an electric drive unit (EDU) assembly and a method of installing a subassembly in a housing of an electric drive unit (EDU) assembly as claimed in the appended claims. According to an aspect of the invention there is provided a bearing retaining plate for axially securing a shaft and bearing subassembly to a housing, for example a housing of a vehicle, the housing comprising a bearing recess and a bearing retaining portion located adjacent or on the bearing recess, wherein the bearing retaining plate comprises: an annular body; a fixing feature located on the annular body for fixing the bearing retaining plate relative to the housing in both an axial direction and a radial direction; a single uninterrupted contact portion extending around a sector of the annular body, wherein the contact portion is configured to engage the bearing retaining portion so as to axially retain the contact portion with respect to the bearing retaining portion, in use; and wherein the contact portion is radially spaced apart from the fixing feature. Optionally, the contact portion is a single uninterrupted contact portion extending around a sector of the annular body. Advantageously, the bearing retaining plate improves ease of assembly of the subassembly to the housing. This is because the bearing retaining plate is accessible for fixing in place when the subassembly is in situ, such that the subassembly can be pre-assembled and then connected to the housing via the bearing retaining plate. The combination of the fixing feature and the contact portion enable both radial and axial retention of the bearing retaining plate relative to the housing of the vehicle. Additionally, the use of a fixing feature and a contact portion simplifies assembly of the bearing retaining plate to the housing because the contact portion can be moved into the bearing retaining portion without the need for additional fastening. Optionally, the annular body is a continuous annular body. Advantageously, providing a continuous annular body is simple to manufacture. Additionally, the continuous annular body can be axially slid over the shaft to assemble the bearing subassembly to the housing of the vehicle. Optionally, an outer circumference of the annular body defines an outer radius of curvature. Optionally, the outer radius of curvature varies along the outer circumference. Advantageously, providing an annular body with varying outer radius enables the bearing retaining plate to be slid or tilted into and / or out of the retaining portion of the housing, thereby improving ease of assembly and disassembly of the shaft and bearing subassembly to the housing. Optionally, the outer radius of curvature varies along the contact portion. Optionally, the outer radius of curvature increases to a maximum at a centre point of the contact portion. Advantageously, providing a contact portion with a varying radius enables the contact portion to be slid or tilted into and / or out of the retaining portion of the housing, thereby improving ease of assembly and disassembly of the shaft and bearing subassembly to the housing. Optionally, an angle subtended by the sector of the contact portion is less than 180°. Optionally, an angle subtended by the sector of the contact portion is in the range 90° to 150°. Advantageously, angles within these ranges have been found to retain the bearing retaining plate within the bearing retention portion, whilst enabling the bearing retaining plate to be slid or tilted into and / or out of the bearing retaining portion. This improves ease of assembly and disassembly of the shaft and bearing subassembly to the housing. Optionally, the annular body comprises a protrusion and the fixing feature is located on the protrusion. Optionally, the protrusion extends from the outer circumference of the annular body. Advantageously, providing the fixing feature on the protrusion helps to improve accessibility to the fixing feature, thereby improving ease of assembly. Optionally, the fixing feature is located on an opposite side of the annular body to the contact portion. Optionally, the fixing feature is radially spaced apart from a centre point of the contact portion by approximately 180°. Advantageously, providing the fixing feature on an opposite side of the annular body to the contact portion helps to provide distribution of retention around the annular body, thereby helping to retain the entirety of the annular body within the bearing retaining portion. Optionally, the annular body comprises a tool engagement portion. Optionally, the tool engagement portion is configured to be engaged by a corresponding tool during assembly to move the bearing retaining plate into alignment with the housing. Optionally, the tool engagement portion is a recess, groove or hole. Advantageously, providing the tool engagement portion helps to improve ease of assembly because the bearing retaining plate can be more easily manipulated, for example slid, and moved into the correct position. Additionally, a recess, groove or hole is simple to manufacture. Optionally, the fixing feature is a bore configured to receive a corresponding fastener. Advantageously, providing a bore is simple to manufacture. Additionally, providing a bore to receive a fastener helps to both axially and radially retain the bearing retaining plate in relation to the bearing retaining portion. According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a subassembly for axially securing to a housing of a vehicle, the subassembly comprising: a shaft; a gear formation disposed on the shaft, wherein the shaft extends through the gear formation; a bearing disposed on the shaft for rotationally supporting the shaft; a bearing retaining plate according to the previous aspect, wherein the bearing retaining plate is disposed on the shaft between the bearing and the gear formation with respect to an axial direction of the shaft; and wherein the shaft extends through the bearing retaining plate, in use. Advantageously, the bearing retaining plate improves ease of assembly of the subassembly to the housing. This is because the bearing retaining plate is accessible for fixing in place when the subassembly is in situ, such that the subassembly can be pre-assembled and then connected to the housing via the bearing retaining plate. The combination of the fixing feature and the contact portion enable both radial and axial retention of the bearing retaining plate relative to the housing of the vehicle. Additionally, the use of a fixing feature and a contact portion simplifies assembly of the bearing retaining plate to the housing because the contact portion can be moved into the bearing retaining portion without the need for additional fastening. Optionally, the gear formation is a park lock ring disposed on the shaft. Advantageously, a park lock ring improves safety of the vehicle by preventing the vehicle from rolling unintentionally when parked. According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided an electric drive unit (EDU) assembly for a vehicle, the EDU assembly comprising: a housing comprising a bearing recess and a bearing retaining portion located adjacent or on the bearing recess; a subassembly according to the previous aspect; wherein the bearing retaining plate is fixed to the housing in both a radial direction and an axial direction by the fixing feature; and wherein the contact portion of the bearing retaining plate engages with the bearing retaining portion of the housing to axially retain the contact portion with respect to the bearing retaining portion. Advantageously, the bearing retaining plate improves ease of assembly of the subassembly to the housing. This is because the bearing retaining plate is accessible for fixing in place when the subassembly is in situ, such that the subassembly can be pre-assembled and then connected to the housing via the bearing retaining plate. The combination of the fixing feature and the contact portion enable both radial and axial retention of the bearing retaining plate relative to the housing of the EDU assembly. Additionally, the use of a fixing feature and a contact portion simplifies assembly of the bearing retaining plate to the housing because the contact portion can be moved into the bearing retaining portion without the need for additional fastening. Optionally, the housing comprises a fixing feature corresponding to the fixing feature of the annular body. Optionally, the fixing feature of the housing is radially aligned with the fixing feature of the annular body, in use. Optionally, the fixing feature of the annular body and the fixing feature of the housing receive a corresponding fastener therethrough. Advantageously, providing corresponding fixing features for receiving a corresponding fastener helps to both axially and radially retain the bearing retaining plate in relation to the bearing retaining portion, in use. Optionally, the annular body comprises a protrusion and the fixing feature is located on the protrusion. Optionally, the fixing feature of the housing comprises a recess corresponding to the shape of the protrusion of the annular body. Optionally, the recess is configured to receive the protrusion, in use. Optionally, the recess is a keyhole. Advantageously, the recess, for example a keyhole, is simple to manufacture. The keyhole is accessible when the components of the subassembly have been inserted on the shaft, thereby improving ease of assembly of the EDU assembly. Additionally, the keyhole helps to radially retain the annular body with respect to the retaining portion. Optionally, the bearing retaining portion of the housing is an annular groove for receiving the contact portion of the bearing retaining plate therein. Advantageously, the annular groove is simple to manufacture, and enables axial retention of the bearing retaining plate therein. Optionally, the annular groove extends around a majority, for example an entirety, of the bearing recess. According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a vehicle comprising an EDU assembly according to a previous aspect. According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of installing a subassembly in a housing of an electric drive unit (EDU) assembly, the method comprising the steps of: providing a subassembly according to a previous aspect, wherein the subassembly is provided in an assembled state; providing a housing of an EDU assembly, the housing comprising a bearing retaining portion; locating the subassembly with respect to the housing; engaging the bearing retaining plate so as to move the contact portion of the bearing retaining plate into engagement with the bearing retaining portion of the housing; and fixing the bearing retaining plate to the housing via the fixing feature. Advantageously, the bearing retaining plate improves ease of assembly of the subassembly to the housing. This is because the bearing retaining plate is accessible for fixing in place when the subassembly is in situ, such that the subassembly can be pre-assembled and then connected to the housing via the bearing retaining plate. The combination of the fixing feature and the contact portion enable both radial and axial retention of the bearing retaining plate relative to the housing of the vehicle. Additionally, the use of a fixing feature and a contact portion simplifies assembly of the bearing retaining plate to the housing because the contact portion can be moved into the bearing retaining portion without the need for additional fastening. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS One or more embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows a vehicle in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; Figure 2 schematically shows the functional units and control system of the vehicle of Figure 1; Figure 3 shows a perspective view of a portion of an electric drive unit (EDU) assembly of the vehicle of Figure 1; Figure 4 shows a perspective view of a subassembly of the EDU assembly of Figure 3 in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; Figure 5 shows an exploded view of the subassembly of Figure 4; Figure 6 shows a section view of a bearing retaining plate of the subassembly of Figure 3 in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; Figure 7 shows a plan view of the bearing retaining plate of Figure 6; and Figure 8 shows a flow chart of method steps of installing a subassembly in a housing of a vehicle in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION Figures 1 and 2 show an example of an electric vehicle (EV) 10. The electric vehicle 10 includes a battery or battery pack 40. The battery 40 is mounted to and supported by the vehicle body structure 11, in use. The battery 40 may be recharged from an external electrical source. The electric vehicle 10 comprises a pair of front wheels 12 at a front axle 28 and a pair of rear wheels 14 at a rear axle 38. The vehicle 10 has at least one electric drive unit (EDU) assembly 20, 30 by which one or more of the wheels 12, 14 are driven. In the illustrated embodiment, the vehicle 10 comprises two electric drive unit assemblies 20, 30, each associated with one of the pairs of wheels 12, 14. In other embodiments, the vehicle 10 may have a dedicated EDU for each of the front wheels 12 and / or a dedicated EDU for each of the rear wheels 14. In the illustrated embodiment, the front wheels 12 are driven by a first electric drive unit (EDU) assembly 20. The first EDU assembly 20 includes a first motor 22, a front transmission 24 and power electronics 26. The rear wheels 14 are driven by a second electrical drive unit (EDU) assembly 30. The second EDU assembly 30 includes a second motor 32, a rear transmission 34 and power electronics 36. The first EDU assembly 20 and the second EDU assembly 30 each receive a DC supply from the battery 40. For ease of identification the first EDU assembly 20 can be considered a first propulsion unit and the second EDU assembly 30 can be considered a second propulsion unit. As used herein, the term “transmission” may refer to a device with a plurality of gears through which torque can be transmitted from the drive unit to one or more of the wheels. For example, this may refer to a differential, transaxle, and / or a gearbox. In other embodiments, the electric vehicle 10 may include only one EDU assembly 20, 30. For example, the second EDU 30 may be omitted in embodiments where the electric vehicle 10 is a “front-wheel drive” vehicle, or the first EDU assembly 20 may be omitted in embodiments where the electric vehicle is a “rear-wheel drive” vehicle. In further embodiments, one or more of the wheels 12, 14 may be driven individually by a dedicated EDU. For example, the front wheels 12 may each be connected to one of a pair of front EDUs. Referring now to Figure 3 a portion of the EDU assembly 20 is illustrated, A bearing retaining plate 50 for axially securing a shaft and bearing subassembly 52 to a housing 54 of the vehicle 10, for example of the EDU 6 assembly 20, is illustrated in Figures 3 to 8. In Figure 3, the first EDU assembly 20 is illustrated, referred to hereafter as an EDU assembly 20. It shall be appreciated that although the invention is described in relation to the first EDU assembly 20, it will be understood that the invention is equally applicable to the second EDU assembly 20, or to any alternative arrangements of first and / or second EDU assembly 20, 30, for example those described above. The EDU assembly 20 includes the housing 54. It shall be appreciated that the present invention is applicable to any housing 54 of the vehicle 10, and is not limited to a housing 54 of the EDU assembly. The housing 54 includes an interior volume for one or more drive components of the EDU assembly 20. As illustrated in Figure 3, the interior volume houses one or more components of the transmission 24, for example a gear member 24a of the transmission 24. The housing 54 includes a bearing recess 57 configured to retain the shaft and bearing subassembly 52, also referred to as the subassembly 52. The shaft and bearing subassembly 52 is rotatably mounted within the bearing recess 57. The housing 54 includes a bearing retaining portion 55 located adjacent the bearing recess 57. The subassembly 52 includes a shaft 56. The shaft 56 includes a first driven end 56a and a second end 56b remote from the first end 56a. The shaft 56 may be an input shaft 56 configured to transmit drive to the transmission 24, for example to the gear member 24a, so as to transmit drive to the one or more wheels 12, 14. The subassembly 52 includes a gear formation 58, 59 secured on the shaft 56 such that the shaft extends through the gear formation 58, 59. The gear formation 58, 59 may be a park, lock ring 58 and / or an input gear 59. As such, the term “gear formation” may refer to any gear formation of the subassembly 52, such as but not limited to the park lock ring 58 or the input gear 59. The input gear 59 is fixedly mounted to the shaft 56 such that rotation of the shaft 56 rotates the input gear 59. The input gear 59 meshes with the gear member 24a so as to rotate the gear member 24a and transmit drive from the shaft 56 to the transmission 24. A bearing 60 is disposed on the shaft 56 for rotationally supporting the shaft 56. In particular, the bearing 60 rotationally supports the second end 56b of the shaft 56. The bearing 60 has an inner race 60a that is rotationally fixed to the shaft 56 and an outer race 60b that, in use, is rotationally fixed to the housing 54. The inner race 60a is located radially inward of the outer race 60b. The bearing 60 includes a plurality of rotating elements 60c located between the inner race 60a and the outer race 60b. The rotating elements 60c may be ball bearings 60c or roller bearings 60c, by way of example. The bearing 60 sits within the recess 57 such that the bearing 60 is rotatably supported by the housing 54. In particular, the outer race 60b sits within the recess 57. The bearing retaining plate 50 is disposed on the shaft 56 between the bearing 60 and the gear formation 58 with respect to an axial direction a-a of the shaft 56. The shaft 56 extends through the bearing retaining plate 50, in use. The bearing retaining plate 50 fixes a position of the bearing 60 with respect to the shaft 56 in a first axial direction extending towards the first end 56a of the shaft 56. As shown in Figures 4 and 5, the subassembly 52 includes a circlip 61, also referred to as a retaining ring 61, configured to retain the bearing 60 on the shaft 56. In particular, the circlip 61 engages the shaft 56 and the inner race 60a of the bearing 60 so as to retain the inner race 60a. As such, the circlip 61 rotates with the shaft 56, in use. The circlip 61 may also help to retain the plurality of rotating elements 60c within the bearing 60, for example when the rotating elements 60c are ball bearings 60c. The circlip 61 fixes a position of the bearing 60 with respect to the shaft 56 in a second axial direction extending towards the second end 56b of the shaft 56 (i.e. in an opposing direction to the first axial direction). As illustrated in Figures 4 and 5, the components of the subassembly 52 are arranged in the following order on the shaft 56 with respect to the axial direction a-a of the shaft 56 extending from the first end 56a to the second end 56b: input gear 59, park lock ring 58, bearing retaining plate 50, bearing 60, circlip 61. The retaining plate 50 is located on a first axial side of the bearing 60, and the circlip 61 is located on a second axial side of the bearing 60 opposing the first axial side. It shall be appreciated that in alternative embodiments, the subassembly 52 may include alternative components arranged in an alternative order. For example, the park lock ring 58 may be omitted. The bearing retaining plate 50 is therefore suitable for use in alternative subassemblies which include a shaft rotatably supported by a bearing. As illustrated in Figure 4, when the subassembly 52 is in an assembled state, the park lock ring 58 obstructs access to the first axial side of bearing 60. The second axial side of the bearing 60 is, however, accessible from the second side 56b of the input shaft 56. As such, the circlip 61 can be accessed from the second side 56b of the input shaft 56 so as to assemble and disassemble the bearing 60 with respect to the shaft 56. Such a circlip would not be accessible from the second axial side of the bearing 60 because the park lock ring 58 would obstruct access to the ends of the circlip for assembly and disassembly. Providing a bearing retaining plate 50 as opposed to a circlip enables the bearing retaining plate 50 to be accessible from the first axial side of the bearing 60 and enables the park lock ring 58 to be assembled to the shaft 56 prior to the subassembly 52 being assembled to the housing 54. This improves ease of assembly and disassembly of the bearing 60 to the shaft 56 and of the subassembly 52 to the housing 54. The bearing retaining plate 50 is illustrated in more detail in Figures 6 and 7. The bearing retaining plate 50 includes a body 62, a fixing feature 64 and a contact portion 66. As described above, the bearing retaining plate 50 improves ease of assembly of the subassembly 52 to the housing 54. This is because the bearing retaining plate 50 is accessible for fixing in place when the subassembly 52 is in situ, such that the subassembly 52 can be pre-assembled and then connected to the housing 54 via the bearing retaining plate 50. The combination of the fixing feature 64 and the contact portion 66 enable both radial and axial retention of the bearing retaining plate 50 relative to the housing 54. Additionally, the use of the fixing feature 64 and the contact portion 66 simplifies assembly of the bearing retaining plate 50 to the housing 54 because the contact portion 66 can be moved into the bearing retaining portion 50 without the need for additional fastening. The body 62 may be formed by a stamping, forging operation, casting, machining, laser cutting, water jet cutting or other such suitable manufacturing method. The body 62 is an annular body 62. In particular, the annular body 62 is a continuous annular body 62. The annular body 62 includes an annular opening for enabling receipt of the shaft 56 therethrough. It shall be appreciated that in alternative embodiments, the annular body 62 may be discontinuous, or may include slits, recesses or grooves thereon. The bearing retaining plate 50 may be a C-shaped plate, a rectangular plate with an opening therethrough, a semi-circular annular plate, or any other suitable shape. As illustrated in Figure 7, the annular body 62 is a substantially circular annular body 62. Substantially is taken to mean that the annular body 62 may be circular, ovular, or may differ slightly from circular, as will be described in more detail below. The annular body 62 defines an outer circumference 62a and an inner circumference 62b. It shall be appreciated that a diameter of the inner circumference 62b is less than a radius of the outer race 60b of the bearing 60 such that the bearing retaining plate 50 axially retains the bearing 60 with respect to the housing 54. In the embodiment shown in Figures 6 and 7, the bearing retaining plate 50 includes one fixing feature 64. This means that during assembly, only one location needs to be fixed to the housing 54, which improves ease and simplicity of assembly. It shall be appreciated that in alternative embodiments, more than one fixing feature 64 may be provided, for example two fixing features. The at least one fixing feature 64 is located on the annular body 62 and is for fixing the bearing retaining plate 50 relative to the housing 54 in both an axial and a radial direction. In particular, the annular body 62 includes a protrusion 74, and the fixing feature 64 is located on the protrusion 74. The fixing feature 64 is located radially outwardly of the gear formation 58, 59, for example radially outwardly of the park lock ring 58, as illustrated in Figure 4. The protrusion 74 may extend from the outer circumference 62a of the annular body 62, as illustrated in Figures 6 and 7. The protrusion 74 extends radially outward of the gear formation 58, 59, for example radially outward of the park lock ring 58. Providing the fixing feature 64 radially outward of the gear formation 58, 59, for example on the protrusion 74, helps to improve accessibility to the fixing feature 64, thereby improving ease of assembly. The protrusion 74 is substantially curved, however in alternative embodiments the protrusion 74 may be any suitable shape. In some embodiments, the protrusion 74 may be omitted. In such embodiments, by way of example, the annular body 62 may define a thickness extending radially outwardly of the park lock ring 58, and the fixing feature 64 may be located on the annular body 62, for example at a location radially outward of the park lock ring 58. The fixing feature 64 is a bore 64 configured to receive a corresponding fastener 68 therethrough. Providing a bore 64 is simple to manufacture and helps to both axially and radially retain the bearing retaining plate 50 in relation to the bearing retaining portion 55. The housing 54 includes a fixing feature 65 corresponding to the fixing feature 64 of the annular body 62. The fixing feature 65 of the housing 54 is radially aligned with the fixing feature 64 of the annular body 62, in use. The fixing feature 64 of the annular body 62 and the fixing feature 65 of the housing 54 receive the fastener 68 therethrough so as to fix the bearing retaining plate 50 with respect to the housing 54. It shall be appreciated that in alternative embodiments, the fixing feature may be any suitable formation configured to axially and radially retain the bearing retaining plate 50 with respect to the bearing retaining portion 55. For example, the fixing feature may be a snap-fit or push-fit connection. The fastener 68 may be any suitable fastener, for example a threaded fastener or a pin. The housing 54 includes a recess 70. In the embodiment of Figures, the recess 70 is a keyhole 70 corresponding to the shape of the protrusion 74 of the annular body 62. The keyhole 70 is configured to receive the protrusion 74, in use. The keyhole 70 is accessible when the components of the subassembly 52 have been inserted on the shaft 56 and the bearing 60 is received within the bearing recess 57. Additionally, the keyhole 70 helps to radially retain the annular body 62 with respect to the housing 54 during assembly, for example before the fastener 68 has been inserted into the fixing features 64, 65 of the annular body 62 and the housing 54. It shall be appreciated that in alternative embodiments, the recess 70 may be any suitable shape, for example any suitable shape corresponding to the shape of the protrusion 74. In some embodiments, the recess 70 may be omitted. The bearing retaining plate 50 includes a contact portion 66 extending around a sector of the annular body 62. In the embodiment shown in the Figures, the contact portion 66 is a single, uninterrupted contact portion 66. This is taken to mean that the contact portion 66 extends uninterruptedly around the sector of the annular body 62. Put another way, an entirety of the contact portion 66 is located in the bearing retaining portion 55, in use. The contact portion 66 is configured to engage the bearing retaining portion 55 of the housing 54 so as to axially retain the contact portion 66 with respect to the bearing retaining portion 55. As such, in the embodiment of the Figures, the fixing feature 64 enables both of axial and radial retention, and the contact portion 66 enables only axial retention. The contact portion 66 is located within the bearing retaining portion 55, in use. In the embodiment shown in the Figures, the fastener 68 can only be inserted into the fixing feature 64 when the contact portion 66 is located within the bearing retaining portion 55. As such, engaging the fastener 68 in the fixing feature 64 provides an indication that the contact portion 66 is located in the desired position with respect to the bearing retaining portion 55. Conversely, if the fastener 68 cannot be received within the fixing feature 64, this provides an indication that the contact portion 66 is not located in the correct position with respect to the bearing retaining portion 55. The contact portion 66 is an annular edge 66 of the bearing retaining plate 50 extending around a sector of the outer circumference 62a which engages with the bearing retaining portion 55. The bearing retaining portion 55 of the housing 54 is an annular groove 55 for receiving the contact portion 66 of the bearing retaining plate 50 therein. The annular groove 55 may be located adjacent the bearing recess 57, or on the bearing recess 57. It shall be appreciated that in alternative embodiments, the contact portion 66 may be an annular groove located on the annular body 62 and the retaining portion 55 may be an annular protrusion. The annular groove 55 may extend around a majority, for example an entirety, of a substantially circular recessed portion 67 of the housing 54 adjacent the bearing recess 57. As illustrated in Figure 6, only a sector of the annular groove 55 receives the contact portion 66. Providing the annular groove 55 extending round an entirety or a majority of the recessed portion 67 helps to simplify manufacture of the housing 54 because the annular groove 55 does not need to be correctly positioned on the housing 54 to receive the contact portion 66. The recessed portion 67 is recessed in the axial direction a-a. As illustrated in Figure 6, the annular groove 55 is located axially adjacent the bearing recess 57 on the recessed portion 67. A diameter of the recessed portion 67 of the housing 54 corresponds to a diameter of the bearing recess 57 (i.e. such that the bearing recess 57 and the recessed portion 67 form a continuously curved inner wall). In alternative embodiments, the recessed portion 67 of the housing 54 may have a greater diameter than that of the bearing recess 57. In further alternative embodiments, the recessed portion 67 may form part of the bearing recess 57 such that the bearing retaining portion 55 is located on the bearing recess 57. The contact portion 66 is radially spaced apart from the fixing feature 64. In particular, the contact portion 66 is radially spaced apart from the fixing feature 64 on both opposing sides of the contact portion 66. Providing the fixing feature 64 radially spaced apart from the contact portion 66 helps to provide distribution of retention around the annular body 62, thereby helping to retain the entirety of the annular body 62 with respect to the housing 54. As illustrated in Figures 6 and 7, the fixing feature 64 is located on an opposite side of the annular body 62 to the contact portion 66. The fixing feature 64 is radially spaced apart from a radial centre c (or centre point) of the contact portion 66 by approximately 180°. It shall be appreciated that in alternative embodiments, the fixing feature 64 or fixing features 64 may be radially spaced apart from the radial centre c of the contact portion 66 by any suitable angle. In embodiments where two fixing features 64 are provided, the fixing features 64 may be radially spaced apart from each other and from the contact portion 66. For example, the two fixing features 64 may each be radially spaced from the radial centre c of the contact portion by substantially the same angle in opposing directions. An angle a subtended by the sector of the contact portion 66 is less than 180°. In the embodiment shown in Figure 7, the angle a subtended by the sector of the contact portion 66 is in the range 90° to 150°, for example approximately 120°. Angles within these ranges have been found to retain the bearing retaining plate 50 within the bearing retaining portion 55, whilst enabling the bearing retaining plate 50 to be slid, or tilted in some embodiments, with respect to the axial direction a-a into and out of the bearing retaining portion 55 during assembly and disassembly of the subassembly 52 to the housing 54. In particular, the bearing retaining portion 55 may be positioned offset with respect to the axial direction a-a when the subassembly 52 is located with respect to the housing 54, and the bearing retaining plate 50 may be slid in a direction or plane perpendicular to the axial direction a-a of the subassembly 52. The bearing retaining plate 50 is slid until the contact portion 66 is located within the bearing retaining portion 55. The outer circumference 62a of the annular body 62 defines an outer radius of curvature. The outer radius of curvature varies along the outer circumference 62a. Put another way, the outer radius of curvature is defined by one or more non-concentric arcs (i.e. arcs having a non-common centre of curvature). Providing the annular body 62 with a varying outer radius enables the bearing retaining plate 50 to be slid with respect to the axial direction a-a into and out of the bearing retaining portion 55 of the housing 54, thereby improving ease of assembly and disassembly of the subassembly to the housing 54. Additionally, the varying outer radius of curvature along the outer circumference 62a helps to maximise the engagement area between the bearing retaining portion 55 and the contact portion 66. The outer radius of curvature is arranged such that the engagement area is maximised, whilst sufficient clearance is provided between the housing 54 and the outer circumference 62a to facilitate sliding of the bearing retaining plate 50 into the recess 57. The inner circumference 62b of the annular body 62 defines an inner radius of curvature. The inner radius of curvature is substantially constant along the inner circumference 62b. In alternative embodiments, the inner radius of curvature may vary. For example, the inner radius may be decreased (such that a radial width of the annular body 62 increases) in order to provide reinforcement at the fixing feature 64. The outer radius of curvature varies along the contact portion 66. In particular, the outer radius of curvature may increase to a maximum at the radial centre c of the contact portion. A minimum outer radius of curvature may be in the range 20mm to 60mm, for example in the range 30mm to 50mm, optionally in the range 35mm to 45mm. A maximum outer radius of curvature may be in the range 26mm to 66mm, for example 36mm to 56mm, optionally in the range 41mm to 51mm. An inner radius of curvature may be in the range 15mm to 55mm, for example in the range 25mm to 45mm, for example in the range 30mm to 40mm. In the embodiment of the Figures, the annular body 62 includes a tool engagement portion 76. The tool engagement portion 76 is configured to be engaged by a corresponding tool during assembly to move the bearing retaining plate 50 into radial alignment with the housing 54, as will be described in more detail below. The tool engagement potion 76 shown in the Figures is a recess, groove or hole. Ashape of the recess, groove or hole corresponds to the shape of an end of the corresponding tool such that the tool can use the tool engagement portion 76 to manipulate the bearing retaining plate 50. The tool engagement portion 76 is located radially inward of the fixing feature 64 and is radially spaced apart from the contact portion 66. In particular, the tool engagement portion 76 is spaced apart from the radial centre c of the contact portion 66 by approximately 180°. In alternative embodiments, the tool engagement portion 76 may be located at any suitable location on the annular body 62, or may be omitted. For example, the tool engagement portion 76 may be located radially outward of the fixing feature 6. In some embodiments, more than one tool engagement portion may be provided. Figure 8 illustrated the steps of method 100 according to an embodiment of the present teachings. The method 100 of installing a subassembly 52 in a housing 54 of a vehicle 10, such as the vehicle 10 illustrated in Figure 1, will be described hereafter. The method includes the step S110 which includes providing a subassembly 52 including a shaft 56, a gear formation 58, 59 disposed on the shaft 56, wherein the shaft 56 extends through the gear formation 58, 59, a bearing 60 disposed on the shaft 56 for rotationally support the shaft, a bearing retaining plate 50 disposed on the shaft between the bearing 60 and the gear formation 58, 59 with respect to an axial direction of the shaft 56, wherein the shaft 56 extends through the bearing retaining plate 50, in use. The bearing retaining plate 50 includes an annular body 62, a fixing feature 64 and a contact portion 66 extending around a sector of the annular body 62 and radially spaced apart from the fixing feature 64. In step S110, the subassembly 52 is provided in an assembled or a semi-assembled state. In particular the shaft 56, gear formation 58, 59 and bearing 60 may be pre-assembled. The subassembly 52, or parts thereof, may be hydraulically pressed to assemble the subassembly 52. Step S110 also includes providing a housing 54 of a vehicle 10 including a bearing retaining portion 55 and a bearing recess 57, At step S120, the subassembly 52 is located with respect to the housing 54. In particular, the bearing 60 is received within the bearing recess 57. In some embodiments, the bearing retaining plate 50 may be provided as part of the subassembly 52 (i.e. located between the gear formation 58, 59 and the bearing 60 before the subassembly 52 is located with respect to the housing 54 at step S120). The bearing retaining plate 50 is provided offset with respect to the longitudinal axis a-a. In such an embodiment, the bearing retaining plate 50 may be moveable with respect to the shaft 56 at step S120. Alternatively, the bearing retaining plate 50 may be moved axially over the subassembly 52 (for example over a first end 56a of the shaft 56 towards a second opposing end 56b of the shaft) into position between the gear formation 59 and the bearing 60. At step S130, the bearing retaining plate 50 is engaged so as to move the contact portion 66 of the bearing retaining plate 50 into engagement with the bearing retaining portion 55 of the housing 54. The bearing retaining plate 50 is slid in a direction or plane substantially perpendicular to the axial direction a-a of the subassembly 52. The bearing retaining plate 50 is slid until the contact portion 6 is moved into engagement with the bearing retaining portion 55. In some embodiments, the bearing retaining plate 50 may be tilted with respect to an axial direction a-a of the subassembly 52 and / or rotated with respect to the axial direction a-a of the subassembly 52. The bearing retaining plate 50 may be engaged with any suitable tool. In some embodiments, a tool engagement portion 76 may be provided, and the tool may engage the tool engagement portion 76 to manipulate the bearing retaining plate 50 into the correct position. It shall be appreciated that first and second tools (or a tool with two working ends) may be used to simultaneously engage the tool engagement portion 76 and the contact portion 66. In some embodiments, the tool or an additional tool may be used in addition or alternatively to engage the fixing feature 64 (before the fastener 68 is received therein) to manipulate the bearing retaining plate 50. At step S140, the bearing retaining plate 50 is fixed to the housing 54 via the fixing feature 64 (or fixing features 64). It shall be appreciated that step S140 takes places when the fixing feature 64 is radially aligned with a corresponding fixing feature 65 of the housing 54, and the contact portion 66 is received within the bearing retaining portion 55. In method 100, a fastener 68 is inserted and secured to the fixing features 64, 65 of the bearing retaining plate 50 and the housing 54. It shall be appreciated that although the present teachings have been described in relation to an electric vehicle or a HEV 10, the teachings may also be applicable to any alternative vehicle, for example diesel vehicles, to which bearing and shaft subassemblies are mounted. It will be appreciated that various changes and modifications can be made to the present invention without departing from the scope of the present application. It should also be noted that whilst the appended claims set out particular combinations of features described above, the scope of the present disclosure is not limited to the particular combinations hereafter claimed, but instead extends to encompass any combination of features herein disclosed.

Claims

1. A bearing retaining plate for axially securing a shaft and bearing subassembly to a housing of a vehicle, the housing comprising a bearing recess and a bearing retaining portion located adjacent or on the bearing recess, wherein the bearing retaining plate comprises:an annular body;a fixing feature located on the annular body for fixing the bearing retaining plate relative to the housing in both an axial direction and a radial direction;a single uninterrupted contact portion extending around a sector of the annular body, wherein the contact portion is configured to engage the bearing retaining portion so as to axially retain the contact portion with respect to the bearing retaining portion, in use; andwherein the contact portion is radially spaced apart from the fixing feature.

2. The bearing retaining plate according to claim 1, wherein the annular body is a continuous annular body.

3. The bearing retaining plate according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein an outer circumference of the annular body defines an outer radius of curvature, and wherein the outer radius of curvature varies along the outer circumference.

4. The bearing retaining plate according to claim 3, wherein the outer radius of curvature varies along the contact portion, optionally wherein the outer radius of curvature increases to a maximum at a centre potin of the contact portion.

5. The bearing retaining plate according to any preceding claim, wherein an angle subtended by the sector of the contact portion is less than 180°, optionally wherein an angle subtended by the sector of the contact portion is in the range 90° to 150°.

6. The bearing retaining plate according to any preceding claim, wherein the fixing feature is located on an opposite side of the annular body to the contact portion, optionally wherein the fixing feature is radially spaced apart from a centre point of the contact portion by approximately 180°.

7. The bearing retaining plate according to any preceding claim, wherein the annular body comprises a tool engagement portion, and wherein the tool engagement portion is configured to be engaged by a corresponding tool during assembly to move the bearing retaining plate into alignment with the housing, optionally wherein the tool engagement portion is a recess, groove or hole.

8. The bearing retaining plate according to any preceding claim, wherein the fixing feature is a bore configured to receive a corresponding fastener.

9. A subassembly for axially securing to a housing of a vehicle, the subassembly comprising:a shaft;a gear formation disposed on the shaft, wherein the shaft extends through the gear formation; a bearing disposed on the shaft for rotationally supporting the shaft;a bearing retaining plate according to any preceding claim, wherein the bearing retaining plate is disposed on the shaft between the bearing and the gear formation with respect to an axial direction of the shaft; andwherein the shaft extends through the bearing retaining plate, in use.

10. The subassembly according to claim 9, wherein the gear formation is a park lock ring disposed on the shaft.

11. An electric drive unit assembly for a vehicle, the EDU assembly comprising:a housing comprising a bearing recess and a bearing retaining portion located adjacent or on the bearing recess;a subassembly according to claim 9 or claim 10;wherein the bearing retaining plate is fixed to the housing in both a radial direction and an axial direction by the fixing feature; andwherein the contact portion of the bearing retaining plate engages with the bearing retaining portion of the housing to axially retain the contact portion with respect to the bearing retaining portion.

12. The EDU assembly according to claim 11, wherein the housing comprises a fixing feature corresponding to the fixing feature of the annular body, and wherein the fixing feature of the housing is radially aligned with the fixing feature of the annular body, in use, and wherein the fixing feature of the annular body and the fixing feature (64) of the housing receive a corresponding fastener therethrough.

13. The EDU assembly according to claim 12, wherein the annular body comprises a protrusion and the fixing feature is located on the protrusion, wherein the fixing feature of the housing comprises a recess corresponding to the shape of the protrusion of the annular body, and wherein the recess is configured to receive the protrusion, in use.

14. The EDU assembly according to any one of claim 11 to claim 13, wherein the bearing retaining portion of the housing is an annular groove for receiving the contact portion of the bearing retaining plate therein.

15. A method of installing a subassembly in a housing of an electric drive unit assembly, the method comprising the steps of:providing a subassembly according to claim 9 or claim 10, wherein the subassembly is provided in an assembled state;providing a housing of an EDU assembly, the housing comprising a bearing retaining portion; locating the subassembly with respect to the housing;engaging the bearing retaining plate so as to move the contact portion of the bearing retaining plate into engagement with the bearing retaining portion of the housing; andfixing the bearing retaining plate to the housing via the fixing feature.5Application No: GB2404962.9 Examiner: Ian ChoiClaims searched: 1-15Date of search: 18 September 2024Patents Act 1977: Search Report under Section 17Documents considered to be relevant:Category Relevant to claims Identity of document and passage or figure of particular relevance X 1, 2, 5-7, 9-11 and 15 US 2008 / 0145099 Al (GILBERTSON) See especially figures 2-8 and paragraphs 30-42. X 1,2, 5-7, 9-11 and 15 US 2022 / 0297738 Al (DUBAY et al.) See especially figures 7 and 8 and paragraphs 33 and 34. A - US 3481655 A (ELWOOD) See especially figures. A - WO 2012 / 029586 Al (NTN TOYO BEARING CO LTD) See especially figures. A - EP 2009302 A2 (NSK LTD) See especially figures. A - WO 2017 / 170034 Al (NTN TOYO BEARING CO LTD) See especially figures. A - JP 2016200171 A (NSK LTD) See especially figures. A - JP 2018204770 A (NTN TOYO BEARING CO LTD) See especially figures.X Document indicating lack of novelty or inventive step A Document indicating technological background and / or state of the art. Y Document indicating lack of inventive step if P Document published on or after the declared priority date but combined with one or more other documents of same category. before the filing date of this invention. & Member of the same patent family E Patent document published on or after, but with priority date earlier than, the filing date of this application.Field of Search:Search of GB. EP, WO &US patent documents classified in the following areas of the UKCX :Worldwide search of patent documents classified in the following areas of the IPC____________ F16C_______________________________________________________ The following online and other databases have been used in the preparation of this search report SEARCH-PATENTInternational Classification:Subclass Subgroup Valid From F16C 0035 / 077 01 / 01 / 2006 F16C 0035 / 067 01 / 01 / 2006

Images