Spherical bearing with axially compressed annular seal
View Patent ↗A spherical bearing includes a split outer ring having a spherical radially inner facing surface, an axially outward facing shoulder and a radially outward extending first groove formed therein. A first snap ring is snap fit in the first groove. The spherical bearing includes an inner race defining a spherical exterior surface and having a radially inward extending second groove. A second snap ring is snap fit into the second groove. A seal extends between the outer ring and the inner race and includes a retaining ring secured to a second end of the seal. A first end of the seal defines a lip extending radially inward. The lip is seated against the second snap ring. The retaining ring is positioned between the first snap ring and the axially outward facing shoulder. The seal is axially compressed between the axially outward facing shoulder and the second snap ring.
1. A spherical bearing comprising:
an outer ring having at least two axially extending fractures therethrough so that the outer ring defines a first segment and a second segment, the outer ring defining a spherical radially inner facing surface defining a cavity in the outer ring, the outer ring defining at least one axially outward facing shoulder and a radially outward extending first groove formed therein proximate at least one axial end of the outer ring, a first snap ring releaseably snap fit in the first groove;
an inner race defining a spherical exterior surface and having a radially inward extending second groove proximate at least one axial end of the inner race, and a second snap ring releaseably snap fit into the second groove;
a seal extending between the outer ring and the inner race, the seal having an annular body portion having a serpentine cross section extending between a first end and a second end thereof, the second end being positioned radially outward from the first end;
a retaining ring secured to the second end;
the first end defining a lip extending radially inward;
the lip being seated against the second snap ring;
the retaining ring being positioned between the first snap ring and the at least one axially outward facing shoulder; and
the seal being axially compressed between the first end and the second end to secure the seal between the at least one axially outward facing shoulder and the second snap ring.
2. The spherical bearing of claim 1 , wherein the outer ring is manufactured from an SAE 8620 surface hardened material.
3. The spherical bearing of claim 1 , wherein the retaining ring comprises a metallic material.
4. The spherical bearing of claim 1 , wherein the seal comprises an elastomeric material.
5. The spherical bearing of claim 4 , wherein the retaining ring is substantially encapsulated in the elastomeric material.
6. The spherical bearing of claim 1 , wherein the seal comprises a nitrile material.
7. A spherical bearing comprising:
an outer ring having at least two axially extending fractures therethrough so that the outer ring defines a first segment and a second segment, the outer ring defining a spherical radially inner facing surface defining a cavity in the outer ring, the outer ring defining at least one axially outward facing shoulder, the outer ring defining a radially inward extending flange proximate an axially end of the outer ring, a radially inward facing first groove formed axially inward from the radially inward extending flange;
an inner race defining a spherical exterior surface and having a radially inward extending second groove proximate at least one axial end of the inner race, and a snap ring releaseably snap fit into the at least one second groove;
a seal extending between the outer ring and the inner race, the seal having an annular body portion having a serpentine cross section extending between a first end and a second end, the second end being positioned radially outward from the first end;
a retaining ring secured to the second end;
the first end defining a lip extending radially inward;
the lip being seated against the snap ring;
the retaining ring being seated in the first groove with the first segment and the second segment being fitted around the retaining ring; and
the seal being axially compressed between the first end and the second end to secure the seal between the at least one axially outward facing shoulder and the snap ring.
8. The spherical bearing of claim 7 , wherein the outer ring is manufactured from an SAE 8620 surface hardened material.
9. The spherical bearing of claim 7 , wherein the retaining ring comprises a metallic material.
10. The spherical bearing of claim 7 , wherein the seal comprises an elastomeric material.
11. The spherical bearing of claim 10 , wherein the retaining ring is substantially encapsulated in the elastomeric material.
12. The spherical bearing of claim 7 , wherein the seal comprises a nitrile material.