SHAFT BEARING

Abstract

A shaft bearing for mounting a shaft of a motor vehicle, having an inner sleeve, an outer body which surrounds the inner sleeve thereby forming a gap, and an elastomer body which connects the inner sleeve and the outer body elastically to one another. The inner sleeve may be embedded in the elastomer body and form a receiving opening for pressing in a bearing element. The inner sleeve may have at least one first deformation which is directed radially inwards in such a way that a shear gap is formed between the first deformation and the bearing element. An elastomer bead that may be formed when the bearing element is pressed in may be compressed within the shear gap.

Claims

1.-11. (canceled)

12. A shaft bearing for mounting a shaft of a motor vehicle, the shaft bearing comprising: an inner sleeve; an outer body that surrounds the inner sleeve thereby forming a gap; and an elastomer body that connects the inner sleeve and the outer body elastically to one another; wherein the inner sleeve is embedded in the elastomer body and forms a receiving opening for pressing in a bearing element, the inner sleeve has at least one first deformation that is directed radially inwards such that a shear gap is formed between the first deformation and the bearing element; and an elastomer bead that is formed when the bearing element is pressed in can be compressed within the shear gap.

13. The shaft bearing according to claim 12, wherein an inner diameter of the first deformation is equal to or greater than an outer diameter of the bearing element.

14. The shaft bearing according to claim 12, wherein the inner sleeve has two first deformations.

15. The shaft bearing according to claim 12, wherein an outer sleeve is embedded in the elastomer body and has a second deformation that is directed radially outwards such that a shear gap is formed between the second deformation and the outer body, and an elastomer bead formed when the elastomer body is pressed into the outer body can be compressed within the shear gap.

16. The shaft bearing according to claim 15, wherein an outer diameter of the second deformation is equal to or smaller than an inner diameter of the outer body.

17. The shaft bearing according to claim 15, wherein the outer sleeve has two second deformations.

18. The shaft bearing according to claim 12, wherein the first deformation comprises a bent edge portion.

19. The shaft bearing according to claim 15, wherein the first deformation and/or the second deformation comprises a bent edge portion.

20. The shaft bearing according to claim 12, wherein the first deformation is a corrugation.

21. The shaft bearing according to claim 15, wherein the first deformation and/or the second deformation is a corrugation.

22. The shaft bearing according to claim 12, wherein the first deformation is formed of portions that are partially punched out and bent.

23. The shaft bearing according to claim 15, wherein the first deformation and/or the second deformation is formed of portions that are partially punched out and bent.

24. The shaft bearing according to claim 12, wherein the first deformation is formed from bent edge tabs.

24. The shaft bearing according to claim 15, wherein the first deformation and/or the second deformation is formed from bent edge tabs.

25. The shaft bearing according to claim 12, wherein the inner sleeve has a bent leg portion whose inner diameter is smaller than an outer diameter of the bearing element and/or whose outer diameter is larger than the inner diameter of the outer body.

26. The shaft bearing according to claim 15, wherein the inner sleeve and/or the outer sleeve has a bent leg portion whose inner diameter is smaller than an outer diameter of the bearing element and/or whose outer diameter is larger than the inner diameter of the outer body.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0027] In the following, a shaft bearing as well as further features and advantages are explained in more detail on the basis of exemplary embodiments, which are illustrated schematically in the figures. Shown are:

[0028] FIG. 1 is a cross-section through a shaft bearing according to a first embodiment comprising an inner sleeve and an outer sleeve according to a first embodiment and a bearing element;

[0029] FIG. 2 is an enlarged representation of detail II in FIG. 1;

[0030] FIG. 3 is an enlarged representation of a cross-section through the inner sleeve and the outer sleeve of FIG. 1;

[0031] FIG. 4 is an enlarged representation of a cross-section through an inner sleeve and an outer sleeve according to a second design;

[0032] FIG. 5 is an enlarged representation of a cross section through an inner sleeve and an outer sleeve according to a third embodiment;

[0033] FIG. 6 is an enlarged representation of a cross section through an inner sleeve and an outer sleeve according to a fourth embodiment;

[0034] FIG. 7 is an enlarged representation of a cross section through an inner sleeve and an outer sleeve according to a fifth embodiment;

[0035] FIG. 8 is an enlarged representation of a cross section through an inner sleeve and an outer sleeve according to a sixth embodiment;

[0036] FIG. 9 is an enlarged representation of a cross section through an inner sleeve and an outer sleeve according to a seventh embodiment;

[0037] FIG. 10 is an enlarged representation of a cross-section through an inner sleeve and an outer sleeve according to an eighth embodiment; and

[0038] FIG. 11 is a cross-section through a shaft bearing according to a second embodiment without an outer body, having an inner sleeve according to a first embodiment and a bearing element.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0039] FIG. 1 shows a shaft bearing 10 used to support a shaft (not shown), in particular a drive shaft, such as a cardan shaft, on a motor vehicle part (not shown), such as a motor vehicle body or motor vehicle floor.

[0040] The shaft bearing 10 has an inner sleeve 12, an outer body 14 which surrounds the inner sleeve 12 thereby forming a gap, and an elastomer body 16 which elastically connects the inner sleeve 12 and the outer body 14 to one another.

[0041] The elastomer body 16 has a first leg 18, a second leg 20 and a fold 22 connecting the two legs 18 and 20 to each other.

[0042] The inner sleeve 12 is embedded in the first leg 18, in particular by vulcanisation, and forms a receiving opening 24 for receiving a bearing element 26 which surrounds the shaft to be supported. The bearing element 26 is designed as a rolling bearing and pressed into the receiving opening 24.

[0043] As can be seen in FIG. 3 in particular, the inner sleeve 12 has a first deformation 30 which is directed radially inwards. The first deformation 30 is a radially inward-directed, bent, in particular flanged, first edge portion 32 of the inner sleeve 12. The first deformation 30 has an inner diameter d.sub.I1 which is smaller than an outer diameter D.sub.AL of the longitudinal element 26, as shown in FIG. 1. As can also be seen in FIG. 2, the first deformation 30 is distanced from the bearing element 26 and forms a shear gap 34.

[0044] At one end opposite the first deformation 30, the inner sleeve 12 has a first leg portion 36 bent radially inwards, whose inner diameter d.sub.IS is smaller than the outer diameter D.sub.AL of the bearing element 26. The first leg portion 36 serves as a stop when pressing the bearing element 26 into the receiving opening 24.

[0045] The inner sleeve 12 may be made of metal or plastic, in particular fibre-reinforced plastic. Furthermore, the inner sleeve 12 may have openings not shown which are penetrated by the elastomer of the elastomer body 16.

[0046] When the bearing element 26 is pressed into the receiving opening 24, the elastomer of the elastomer body 16 is displaced, and an elastomer bead 38 forms inside the shear gap 34 against the direction of pressing in. When the bearing element 26 is pressed out of the receiving opening 24, the elastomer bead 38 is compressed in the shear gap 34 so that the elastomer bead 38 is prevented from being displaced. This greatly increases the resistance of the bearing element 26 against being pressed out. The first deformation 30 thus acts as a backstop by preventing the elastomer bead 38 from being displaced.

[0047] The second leg 20 is in contact with the outer body 14, wherein the shaft bearing is attached to a motor vehicle part (not shown) via the outer body 14. For this purpose, the outer body 14 may be designed as a bearing support. The elastomer body 16 is pressed into the outer body 14, wherein an outer sleeve 28 is embedded, in particular by vulcanisation, in the second leg 20 to increase the surface pressure.

[0048] The outer sleeve 28 has a second deformation 40 which is directed radially outwards. The second forming 40 is a radially outward-directed, bent, in particular flanged, second edge portion 42 of the inner sleeve 12, as shown in FIG. 3. The second deformation 40 has an outer diameter D.sub.A2 which is smaller than an inner diameter d.sub.IA of the outer body 14. The second deformation 40 is distanced from the outer body 14 and forms a shear gap 34.

[0049] At one end opposite to the second deformation 40, the outer sleeve 28 has a second leg portion 43 bent radially outwards, whose outer diameter D.sub.AS is larger than the inner diameter d.sub.IA of the outer body 14. The second leg portion 44 serves as a stop when pressing the elastomer body 16 into the outer body 14.

[0050] When the elastomer body 16 is pressed into the outer body 14, the elastomer of the elastomer body 16 is displaced, and an elastomer bead 38 forms inside the shear gap 34 against the direction of pressing in. When the elastomer body 16 is pressed out of the outer body 14, the elastomer bead 38 is compressed in the shear gap 34 so that displacement of the elastomer bead 38 is prevented. As a result, the resistance of the elastomer body 16 to being pressed out of the outer body 14 is greatly increased. The second deformation 40 thus acts as a backstop by preventing the elastomer bead 38 from being displaced.

[0051] Further embodiments of the inner sleeve 12 and the outer sleeve 28 as well as another embodiment of the shaft bearing 10 are described below. The previously used reference signs are used for the description of identical and functionally identical parts.

[0052] FIG. 4 shows a second embodiment of the inner sleeve 12 and the outer sleeve 28, which differs from the first embodiment in that the inner sleeve 12 has two first deformations 30 and the outer sleeve 28 two second deformations 40. The two first deformations 30 are each formed as radially inward-directed, bent, in particular flanged, first edge portions 32, so that one shear gap 34 is formed, respectively, between the two first deformations 30 and the bearing element 26, which prevents an elastomer bead 38 formed within each shear gap 34 from being displaced. The two second deformations 40 are each formed as radially outward-directed, bent, in particular flanged, second edge portions 42, so that one shear gap 34 is formed, respectively, between the second deformations 40 and the outer body 14, which prevents an elastomer bead 38 formed within each shear gap 34 from being displaced.

[0053] FIG. 5 shows a third embodiment of the inner sleeve 12 and the outer body 14, which differs from the first two embodiments in that the first deformation 30 is a radially inward-directed first corrugation 44 and the second deformation 40 is a radially outward-directed second corrugation 46. Sleeve-shaped extensions 48 of the inner sleeve 12 and the outer sleeve 28 are connected to each of the beads 44, 46, respectively.

[0054] FIG. 6 shows a fourth embodiment of the inner sleeve 12 and the outer sleeve 28, which differs from the third embodiment in that the sleeve-shaped extension 48 of the inner sleeve 12 is offset radially outwards and the sleeve-shaped extension 48 of the outer sleeve 28 is offset radially inwards.

[0055] FIG. 7 shows a fifth embodiment of the inner sleeve 12 and the outer sleeve 28, which differs from the third embodiment in particular in that the inner sleeve 12 has two first corrugations 44 and the outer sleeve 28 two second corrugations 46, each corrugation 44, 46 being followed by a sleeve-shaped extension 48.

[0056] FIG. 8 shows a sixth embodiment of the inner sleeve 12 and the outer sleeve 28, which differs from the other embodiments in that the first deformation 30 is formed of partially punched first portions 50 bent radially inwards and the second deformation 40 is formed of partially punched second portions 52 bent radially outwards. The portions 50, 52 are arranged at equidistant intervals over the circumference of the inner sleeve 12 and the outer sleeve 28.

[0057] FIG. 9 shows a seventh embodiment of the inner sleeve 12 and the outer sleeve 28, which differs from the sixth embodiment in that the inner sleeve 12 has two partially punched-out first portions 50 bent radially inwards and the outer sleeve 28 has two partially punched-out second portions 52 bent radially outwards.

[0058] FIG. 10 shows an eighth embodiment of the inner sleeve 12 and the outer sleeve 28, which differs from the other embodiments in that the first deformation 30 is formed of radially inward bent first edge tabs 54 and the second deformation 40 is formed of radially outward bent second edge tabs 56. The edge tabs 54, 56 are arranged at equidistant intervals over the circumference of the inner sleeve 12 and the outer sleeve 28. The edge tabs 54, 56 are arranged at the end faces of the inner sleeve 12 and the outer sleeve 28 and are connected to the inner sleeve 12 and the outer sleeve 28 using the same material. The edge tabs 54, 56 are rectangular projections of the inner sleeve 12 and the outer sleeve 28.

[0059] FIG. 11 shows a second embodiment of the shaft bearing 10 without an outer body 14, which differs from the first embodiment in the design of the elastomer body 16 and in the missing outer sleeve 28.

[0060] The second leg 20 of the elastomer body 16 has a fastening portion 58 comprising a circumferential recess 60 and a collar portion 62. The elastomer body 16 is fastened to an outer body via the fastening portion 52. First, the second leg 20 is compressed and the elastomer body 16 is inserted into the outer body, with a projection formed in the outer body engaging in the circumferential recess 60 and the collar portion 62 resting against an end face of the outer body 14. To secure the elastomer body 14 against being pulled out of the outer body, a retaining ring (not shown) is pressed onto the fastening portion 58.

[0061] The embodiments shown in the figures for the inner sleeve 12 and for the outer sleeve 28 may be combined as desired. For example, an inner sleeve 12 according to a first embodiment may be combined with an outer sleeve 28 according to a sixth embodiment, or an inner sleeve 12 according to an eighth embodiment may be combined with an outer sleeve 28 according to a first embodiment.