Low spring rate multi-convoluted collapsible spacer
US6793398B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 29, 2002 |
| Grant date | Sep 21, 2004 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 29, 2022 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF16H2048/423
- WIPO fieldMechanical elements
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A low spring rate multi-convoluted collapsible spacer adapted for use as a bearing preloading element. The collapsible spacer comprises a substantially tubular body compressible in an axial direction thereof from a predetermined free length to a substantially shorter length. The tubular body includes a yielding zone and an elastic zone adjacent to said yielding zone. Each of the yielding and elastic zones has at least one convolution curved in the same radial direction. An average thickness of the body of the spacer in the elastic zone is substantially greater than an average thickness of the body in the yielding zone that provides the collapsible spacer a substantially higher resiliency in the axial direction in the elastic zone than in the yielding zone. As a whole, the collapsible spacer has a relatively low spring rate, thus larger amount of “spring back”, hence less sensitivity to wear and maladjustment.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.