Meritor Heavy Vehicle Technology, LLC

Rockwell International Corporation

Meritor Heavy Vehicle Systems Limited

Craig Holt

Gary J Koslowski

Ronald N Brissette

Anthony G Lentini

Patrick L Kurzeja

Glenn F Gehrke

A unique structure for connecting the cross member of a universal joint to two yokes includes at least a pair of wing bearings bolted to one of the yokes. Preferably, the other yoke utilizes full circular bores to receive the other two shafts of the cross member. The wing bearings include structure which ensures a secure connection to the yoke. In particular, a locator finger extends radially inwardly from the yoke and over the wing bearing and shaft. In this way, the distance between a reaction plane between the yoke and wing bearing and the centerline of the shaft within the wing bearing is reduced. This reduces a force moment on the shaft. In other features of this invention, the use of the full circular bore for one of the yokes allows the universal joint manufacturer to fully assemble the first yoke to the cross member, and ship that assembled yoke and cross member to the vehicle manufacturer. The vehicle manufacturer must only then assemble the yoke to its drive shaft, and bolt the two wing bearings to a second yoke. In this way, the vehicle manufacturer has no responsibility to properly lubricate the bearings in the universal joint. Thus, the bearings may be properly lubricated by the universal joint manufacturer, and should remain properly lubricated for the expected life of the universal joint.

Yoke connections for universal joints

A structure for connecting the cross member of a universal joint to two yokes includes at least a pair of wing bearings bolted to one of the yokes. Preferably, the other yoke utilizes full circular bores to receive the other two shafts of the cross member. The wing bearings include structure which ensures a secure connection to the yoke. In particular, a locator finger extends radially inwardly from the yoke and over the wing bearing and shaft. In this way, the distance between a reaction plane between the yoke and wing bearing and the centerline of the shaft within the wing bearing is reduced. This reduces a force moment on the shaft. In other features of this invention, the use of the full circular bore for one of the yokes allows the universal joint manufacturer to fully assemble the first yoke to the cross member, and ship that assembled yoke and cross member to the vehicle manufacturer. The vehicle manufacturer must only then assemble the yoke to its drive shaft, and bolt the two wing bearings to a second yoke. In this way, the vehicle manufacturer has no responsibility to properly lubricate the bearings in the universal joint. Thus, the bearings may be properly lubricated by the universal joint manufacturer, and should remain properly lubricated for the expected life of the universal joint.

Combined wing bearing and full circular bearing yoke connection for universal joint

A universal joint bearing assembly incorporates a thrust washer molded from plastic. The plastic thrust washer eliminates the metal galling and metal debris that have been found in prior art universal joint bearings. A support notch is formed at radially outer surfaces to support an inner end of needle bearings. Resilient members bias the notch against the needle bearings such that the needle bearings are supported on the notch and against a seal at the outer end of the bearing cup. The resilient members are compressed when the universal joint is assembled such that the needle bearings operate properly. A central dome extension on the thrust washer insures that the thrust washer is not improperly mounted within the bearing cup. An outer face of the thrust washer is formed at an angle such that central portion extend further towards the trunnion than radially outer portions. In a method of assembling a bearing according to the present invention, the thrust washer is initially placed within a bearing cup and the needle bearings are then mounted within the bearing cup as is the seal. The thrust washer biases the needle bearings such that they are supported between the thrust washer and a seal. The bearing may then be shipped. When the universal joint is finally assembled, the trunnion compresses the resilient members. At that time, the bearings are free to move axially and the universal joint will operate properly.

Retained needle thrust washer

A plug closes the end bore of a slip yoke. A plurality of teeth are cast into a counterbore formed at an end of the slip yoke. The rigid plug snaps behind the teeth to be retained within the counterbore. The teeth are circumferentially spaced and may be formed when the slip yoke is cast. The rigid plug has an edge that extends radially outwardly to engage an inner peripheral surface of the counterbore and retain the plug. The teeth prevent movement of the plug outwardly of the bore.

Growing community of inventors

Harrison Township, MI, United States of America

Craig Holt