Patent · US Active

Articulated unit and method for lubricating an articulated unit

US8678656B2 · kind B2 · utility

9Cited by

5References

16Claims

0Family size

Assignee

ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG · DE

Inventors

Thomas Richter · Wauseon, US
Arnold Middelkampf · Badbergen, DE
Siegfried Rahe · Belm, DE

Key dates

Filing date	Dec 4, 2008
Grant date	Mar 25, 2014
Priority date	—
Expiry date	Sep 16, 2030

Classification

Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
CPC primaryY10T403/32737
WIPO fieldMechanical elements
WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

An articulated unit for a motor vehicle with a housing (1) and a link pin (2) supported in the housing (1), and a bearing shell (4) disposed between the housing (1) and a bearing section (3) of the link pin (2), with the bearing shell (4) supported with its outer surface (5) at least in sections in the housing (1) and having on its inner surface (6) facing the bearing section (3) of the link pin (2) recesses (7) for a lubricant. The bearing shell (4) has at least one opening (8) which extends through the bearing shell (4) from the inner surface (6) to the outer surface (5) and forms a flow channel. A method for lubricating an articulated unit is presented, wherein the bearing shell (4) having elastic compliance produces during the relative movement of the link pin (2) in the housing (1) a pumping action, which enables distribution of the lubricant via the lubricant channel system.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.