Tolerance ring assembly

Abstract

A tolerance ring having a first axial end, a second axial end, and a central axis, the tolerance ring including an annular band; a plurality of protrusions, all of the plurality of protrusions extending from the annular band; and a guide portion extending from the annular band towards the first axial end of the tolerance ring, where the guide portion includes a guide surface that is curved in an axial section.

Claims

1. A tolerance ring having a first axial end, a second axial end, and a central axis, the tolerance ring comprising: an annular band; a plurality of protrusions, all of the plurality of protrusions extending from the annular band; and a guide portion extending from the annular band towards the first axial end of the tolerance ring, wherein the guide portion comprises a guide surface that is curved in an axial section.

2. The tolerance ring according to claim 1, wherein the annular band defines an annular segment disposed between the guide portion and the plurality of protrusions.

3. The tolerance ring according to claim 2, wherein the guide portion comprises a minimum diameter, and wherein the minimum diameter of the guide portion is coincident with the annular segment.

4. The tolerance ring according to claim 1, wherein the annular band is adapted to contact a bearing.

5. The tolerance ring according to claim 1, wherein the annular band is adapted to contact a shaft.

6. The tolerance ring according to claim 1, wherein the guide portion is visible when viewed from the first axial end along the central axis of the tolerance ring.

7. The tolerance ring according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of protrusions extend radially outwards from the annular band.

8. The tolerance ring according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of protrusions extend radially inwards from the annular band.

9. The tolerance ring according to claim 1, wherein the guide portion extends along a whole circumference of the annular band.

10. An apparatus comprising: a housing having a bore therein; a shaft in the bore; and a tolerance ring positioned between the interior surface of the housing and the external surface of the shaft, the tolerance ring comprising: an annular band; a plurality of protrusions, all of the plurality of protrusions extending from the annular band; and a guide portion extending from the annular band towards the first axial end of the tolerance ring, wherein the guide portion comprises a guide surface that is curved in an axial section of the guide portion is visible when viewed from the first axial end along the central axis of the tolerance ring.

11. The tolerance ring according to claim 10, wherein the annular band defines an annular segment disposed between the guide portion and the plurality of protrusions.

12. The tolerance ring according to claim 11, wherein the guide portion comprises a minimum diameter, and wherein the minimum diameter of the guide portion is coincident with the annular segment.

13. The tolerance ring according to claim 10, wherein all of a guide surface of the guide portion is visible when viewed along a central axis of the tolerance ring.

14. The tolerance ring according to claim 10, wherein the guide portion extends along a whole circumference of the annular band.

15. A method of assembling an apparatus, comprising: inserting a tolerance ring into a bore in a housing, the tolerance ring comprising: an annular band; a plurality of protrusions, all of the plurality of protrusions extending from the annular band; and a guide portion extending from the annular band towards the first axial end of the tolerance ring, wherein the guide portion comprises a guide surface that is curved in an axial section of the guide portion is visible when viewed from the first axial end along the central axis of the tolerance ring; and inserting an end of a shaft into the guide portion of the tolerance ring; and moving the shaft along the axis of the band into the band, so that the band engages the shaft.

16. The method according to claim 15, wherein all of a guide surface of the guide portion is visible when viewed along a central axis of the tolerance ring.

17. The method according to claim 15, wherein the guide portion extends along a whole circumference of the annular band.

18. The method according to claim 15, wherein the annular band defines an annular segment disposed between the guide portion and the plurality of protrusions.

19. The method according to claim 18, wherein the guide portion comprises a minimum diameter, and wherein the minimum diameter of the guide portion is coincident with the annular segment.

20. The method according to claim 15, wherein the plurality of protrusions extend radially outwards from the annular band.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) Embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail, by way of example, reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

(2) FIG. 1 shows in cross section a bearing and a known tolerance ring, which are about to be inserted into a bore in a pivotable actuator arm of a hard disk drive;

(3) FIG. 2 shows in cross section another known tolerance ring with outward protrusions located in a bore in an actuator arm, and a bearing ready to be inserted into the tolerance ring;

(4) FIG. 3 shows in cross section another known tolerance ring with inward protrusions located in a bore in an actuator arm, and a bearing ready to be inserted into the tolerance ring;

(5) FIG. 4 shows in cross section a tolerance ring of the present invention located in a bore in an actuator arm, and a bearing ready to be inserted into the tolerance ring;

(6) FIG. 5 shows in cross section, another known tolerance ring which is fitted to the end of a shaft and is about to be inserted into a bore in a housing; and

(7) FIG. 6 shows in cross section a tolerance ring of the present invention, which is fitted to a shaft and is about to be inserted in a bore into a housing.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(8) Before describing embodiments of the invention, it will be useful to understand conventional arrangements. Thus, FIGS. 1 to 3 illustrate use of a known tolerance ring to mount a shaft in a bore.

(9) Thus, as shown in FIG. 1, a known tolerance ring with outwardly facing protrusions 2 in the form of waves and is fitted around a bearing 3 or bearing assembly 3 (hereinafter referred to as the bearing 3). The bearing 3 and tolerance ring 1 comprise a sub-assembly, which is axially inserted into the bore 4 of a body which may be an actuator arm 5 of a hard disk drive, indicated in FIG. 1 by the arrow 6. Unformed, annular portions 7 of the tolerance ring 1, which have no radial protrusions, axially flank the outwardly facing protrusions 2. Tolerance rings with outwardly facing protrusions are generally known in the art as S.V rings (Shaft Variable), as the diameter of the tolerance ring to be fitted to the bearing may be varied by differing amounts of overlap of the ends of the strip that forms the tolerance ring. The outwardly facing protrusions 2 of the ring 1 resiliently engage the surface 8 of the bore 4.

(10) As the sub-assembly is inserted into the bore 4, the outwardly facing protrusions 2 of the tolerance ring 1 are compressed. Unformed portions 7 of the tolerance ring 1 that axially flank the outwardly facing protrusions 2 prevent changes in the pitch of the outwardly facing protrusions 2, allowing only resilient deformation of each outwardly facing protrusions. A radial force is created between the surface 8 of the bore 4 and the bearing 3. An interference fit is thus provided by the tolerance ring 1.

(11) During assembly, the outwardly facing protrusions 2 of the tolerance ring 1 slide relative to the surface 8 of the bore 4. Abrasion of the waves against the surface 8 can cause small fragments of the housing 5 to be removed from the surface 8 of the bore 4 (and possibly tolerance ring 1). This problem is compounded if the material of the actuator arm 5 is softer than the material of the outwardly facing protrusions 2 of the ring 1. The fragments are known in the art as particles, which can adversely affect the operation of the apparatus in which the tolerance ring 1 is fitted. In the example, particles are extremely undesirable as cleanliness is important for proper functioning of the hard disk drive.

(12) An alternative known assembly method comprises inserting the tolerance ring 1 into the bore 4 so that the tolerance ring 1 sits concentrically in the bore 4. The bearing 3 is inserted into the bore 4 and slides into the tolerance ring 1, as shown by the arrow 9 in FIG. 2. The bearing 3 may foul on the edge 10 of the ring as the bearing 3 is axially inserted into the ring 1, causing fragments of the ring 1 and/or bearing 3 to be removed. The fragments are known in the art as particles.

(13) Particles may also be produced when using a tolerance ring with inwardly extending protrusions, for example as shown FIG. 3. A tolerance ring 11, with inwardly facing protrusions 30, sits concentrically in the bore 4 of the actuator arm 5, with the sides of the ring engaging the sides 8 of the bore 4. This type of ring is known in the art as an H.V. tolerance ring (Housing Variable). A bearing 3 is axially inserted into the ring 11, as indicated in FIG. 3 by the arrow 12. The bearing 3 moves relative to the inwardly facing protrusions 30. As the bearing 3 is made of harder material than the actuator arm 5, particle production is more limited.

(14) The arrangement using a tolerance ring with inwardly extending waves may not be suitable for all types of apparatus, for example where it is desirable to have a load on the bearing spread over a wider area than can be provided by the tops of the waves. It is undesirable that a requirement to minimise particle production during assembly imposes a working arrangement that is sub-optimal for the apparatus.

(15) In a computer hard disk drive the arrangement using a tolerance ring with inwardly extending waves (H.V) is undesirable, as load must be spread over as wide an area of the bearing as possible to avoid torque ripple. Furthermore, axial alignment, required in a hard disk drive, is usually better with tolerance rings having outwardly extending waves (S.V), shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. However, manufacturers may use the H.V ring and assembly method described in Example 3, as it minimizes particle production during assembly. Particles will adversely affect the functioning of the hard disk drive.

(16) As had previously been mentioned, a tolerance ring according to the present invention modifies known tolerance rings by providing a guide portion which is inclined relative to the axis of the tolerance ring. The first embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to FIG. 4. Some of the features of the tolerance ring of this embodiment are the same in the tolerance rings described previously, and the same reference numerals will be used to indicate corresponding parts.

(17) A tolerance ring 13 being the first embodiment of the present invention allows a tolerance ring with outwardly facing protrusions 2 to be used in the apparatus but minimizes or eliminates the particle production that results from the arrangements shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3. The tolerance ring 13 includes a guide portion indicated generally in FIG. 4 by 14. The guide portion 14 resembles a funnel, which flares towards the entrance of the bore 4. The guide portion comprises a flared guide surface, indicated in cross section by 15 in FIG. 4, extending axially from the band 16 of the ring 13, forming an endmost annular portion, towards the entrance of the bore 4. The guide portion terminates at free end 32 defining an axial end of the tolerance ring. This free end 32 defines an opening that (i) is larger than that defined by the unformed annular portions of the band, and (ii) has a diameter at said free end that is not greater than the diameter of the protrusions. As shown, the guide portion is provided at only one end of the band.

(18) The guide surface 15 provides an enlarged entrance to the band 16 of the ring 13 for receiving the bearing, eliminating foul on the edge of the ring as described in Example 2. Guide surface 15 is sufficiently smooth so as to guide the bearing 3 into the ring 13, even if there is some axial misalignment of the bearing 3 and the ring 13. As the outwardly facing protrusions 2 of the ring 13 do not abrade against any surface during assembly and the end of the bearing 3 does not abrade against the ring 13, particle production is avoided. As shown, the tolerance ring 13 in the form of an annular band of resilient material has an innermost surface defined by the unformed annular portions 7, and has an outermost surface defined by the outwardly facing protrusions 2 having a diameter. All of the outwardly facing protrusions 2 extend radially outward, each extending between a pair of unformed annular portions. The guide portion is contiguous with and extends axially and radially outward from an endmost unformed annular portion (the topmost unformed annular portion shown in FIG. 4), and flares outwardly from the innermost surface. As shown, the guide portion has a free end defining an opening that has a diameter not greater than the diameter of the unformed annular portions. The arrangement using an S.V. type ring is preferable for the hard disk drive.

(19) It is also known to use a tolerance ring with inwardly facing protrusions. The ring may be fitted to the end of a shaft and inserted into a bore in the housing, as shown in FIG. 5. The tolerance ring 17, with inwardly facing protrusions 2, is fitted to a shaft 18 and the shaft 18 and ring 17 inserted axially into the bore 4 of a housing 19. The diameter of the ring 17 is similar to the diameter of the bore 4 and so the ring 17 fouls on the edge 20 of the bore 4, producing particles from the ring 17 and/or the housing 19.

(20) This known tolerance ring can be modified by the provision of an inclined guide portion, in a manner similar to the first embodiment, but with the angle of inclination being inward rather than outward. Such an embodiment is illustrated in FIG. 6, and again reference numerals are used to indicate corresponding parts. Tolerance ring 21 of the second embodiment is fitted to a shaft 18, and axially inserted into the bore 4 of a housing 19. The ring 21 includes inward protrusions in the form of waves to the grip shaft 18.

(21) The ring includes a tapered guide portion indicated generally in FIG. 6 by 22, extending axially from the band 23 of the ring, away from the shaft 18. The guide portion comprises a guide surface, indicated in cross section in FIG. 6 by 24a, sloping towards the axis of the ring to narrow the opening of the band 23. The guide surface 24a axially leads into the bore 4 during assembly. The guide surface allows correction of axial misalignment of the bearing and the bore. The guide portion prevents the ring fouling on the edge of the bore 20, reducing or even eliminating particle production.

(22) In the embodiments described above, the bore 4 has straight side walls. It is possible for the ends of the bore to be chamfered, although the presence of the guide portion makes such chamfering of little benefit.

(23) The tolerance ring of the invention may be used on a hard disk drive, although there are numerous other applications of the present invention, for example any apparatus that uses a tolerance ring. In the example, the hard disk drive has an actuator arm pivotable around a bearing or bearing assembly. Typically, the actuator arm has an electronic transducer at one end for reading and writing data stored on a media disk. The arm pivots around a stationary shaft, which is mounted perpendicular to the plane of rotation of the media disk and arm.

(24) Conventionally, the pivot mechanism comprises a centre shaft and one or a plurality of rolling element bearings surrounding the shaft. Each rolling element bearing includes an inner race attached to the shaft, an outer race located concentrically around the inner race, and a plurality of rolling elements located in the annular space between the inner and outer races. Such an assembly is commonly known as a bearing cartridge assembly. An outer cylinder or sleeve may surround the outer race or races of the bearing or bearings. Although such a hard disk drive is a typical arrangement, it will be appreciated by those in the art that there are other possible arrangements to which the invention can be applied.