Pendulum Holder Clearance Adjustment With Inclined Coupling

Bearing bodies are introduced as intermediary elements between the first and second coupling elements. These bearing bodies mediate the radial play by rolling between the coupling elements, providing precise and stable radial clearance that is not affected by dirt penetration or preload variations. The bearing bodies transform the direct contact between coupling elements into a controlled rolling contact system.

The radial play is precisely controlled by changing the dimensional parameters of the annular gap and the bearing bodies. The inner diameter of the first coupling element, the outer diameter of the second coupling element, and the dimensions of the bearing bodies are specifically designed to achieve the desired radial play value. This parameter-based control enables precise adjustment without relying on elastic element preload.

The bearing bodies serve as protective intermediaries that fill the annular gap between the coupling elements. By placing these bearing bodies within the gap, the system maintains precise radial clearance while preventing contaminants from penetrating into the gap. The bearing bodies act as a physical barrier that protects the critical clearance zone from contamination.

The harmful function of the annular gap (contaminant penetration) is eliminated by extracting the gap's void space and replacing it with bearing bodies. The bearing bodies occupy the space that would otherwise be vulnerable to contamination, transforming the gap from a contamination pathway into a controlled bearing arrangement that maintains precision while providing protection.

The adjustment mechanism is shifted from the circumferential dimension to the axial dimension. Instead of using circumferential inclined surfaces that would require complex multi-surface machining, the patent uses a single axial inclined surface on the second coupling element. This axial inclination, combined with axial movement of the second coupling element relative to the first, achieves the same radial play adjustment function with simpler geometry and manufacturing.

The conventional approach of using circumferential inclined surfaces is inverted by using an axial inclined surface instead. The adjustment is achieved by moving the coupling elements axially along the inclined surface rather than rotating them circumferentially. This inversion simplifies the surface geometry from multiple circumferential surfaces to a single axial surface, reducing manufacturing complexity while maintaining adjustability.