Lock Nut Keeper System for Bearing Preload Alignment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for preloading axle bearings in drive trains face challenges in achieving accurate and repeatable preload settings, particularly under in-field conditions, due to difficulties in applying the required compressive deflection and maintaining the adjustment, which affects the longevity of the bearings and complicates warranty provisions for original equipment manufacturers.

Innovation Solution

A lock nut system with a keeper and retaining member that inhibits rotational movement of the nut relative to the shaft, combined with a cover member that provides a visual indication of tampering, ensuring proper preload maintenance and verification without the need for measurement, and a preload apparatus for applying and monitoring compressive loads on bearings.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If specified torques are applied to the bearing assembly to create preload, then the bearing life is optimized, but it is extremely difficult to achieve accurate preload settings under in-field conditions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepreload setting accuracyVSAvoiddifficulty in achieving preload under in-field conditions

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-marking the lock nut and locking member with alignment indicators before installation. These markings are prepared in advance to facilitate precise alignment and preload application during the actual installation process, eliminating the need for complex measurement tools in the field.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary alignment mechanism using visual markings on the lock nut and locking member. These markings serve as a mediator between the installer and the bearing assembly, providing a simple visual reference system that enables accurate preload application without requiring sophisticated measurement equipment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If the wheel hub assembly includes a lip type seal, then sealing is improved, but the seal imposes a resistive drag torque component to the preload torque

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesealing performanceVSAvoidresistive drag torque

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies partial action by providing clearance or play between the lip seal and the rotating component. This intentional gap reduces the contact area and minimizes the resistive drag torque while maintaining sufficient sealing performance for the application, allowing the preload torque to overcome the seal resistance more easily.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Manufacturing precision

If the lock nut is rotated during preloading, then the bearing preload is adjusted, but the alignment between the lock nut teeth and locking member teeth becomes misaligned

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebearing preload adjustmentVSAvoidalignment between lock nut and locking member

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-aligning the lock nut and locking member using visual markings before the preloading process. The markings are positioned in advance to indicate the correct rotational position, allowing the installer to quickly realign the components after rotation during preloading without requiring complex alignment procedures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses visual markings (color changes or contrast patterns) on the lock nut and locking member to indicate alignment positions. These visual indicators change or become visible when the components are in the correct rotational position, providing immediate feedback to the installer and ensuring proper alignment is maintained during the preloading process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #32Color changes

4Reliability

If a visual indication mechanism is added to the lock nut system, then tampering detection is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetamper detection capabilityVSAvoidlock nut system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses visual markings or color-coded indicators on the lock nut and locking member that provide tamper detection capability. These indicators are designed as simple visual features rather than complex mechanical or electronic systems, allowing tampering to be detected through straightforward visual inspection while minimizing the addition of system complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #32Color changes

Data Source

PatentUS9909609B2Systems and methods for preloading a bearing and aligning a lock nut

Publication Date: 2018.03.06 TEMPER AXLE PRODUCTS CORP

AI summary

A lock nut system includes a nut, a keeper engagement with the nut to inhibit movement of the keeper relative to the nut, and a keeper retaining member. The keeper has a radially inner side configured to engage a shaft to inhibit rotational movement of the nut relative to the shaft when the keeper engages the nut and a radially inner side engages the shaft. The keeper retaining member is secured to the keeper and is engageable with the nut to hold a keeper axially such that keeper is engaged with the nut. A cover member is located on an opposite side of the keeper retaining member relative to the nut and engaged to the keeper retaining member to inhibit a separation of the cover member from the keeper retaining member in such that that the separation of the cover member from the keeper retaining member provides a visual indication to a user.