US 12,104,646 B2
Snap feature assembly and method
Andrew Dyer, Charlotte, NC (US); Roland Schwarz, Allersberg (DE); and Scott Hart, Sharon, NC (US)
Assigned to Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG, Herzogenaurach (DE)
Filed by Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG, Herzogenaurach (DE)
Filed on Jan. 12, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/574,021.
Prior Publication US 2023/0220876 A1, Jul. 13, 2023
Int. Cl. F16C 33/46 (2006.01); F16C 19/50 (2006.01); F16C 33/38 (2006.01); F16C 43/04 (2006.01)
CPC F16C 33/4605 (2013.01) [F16C 19/502 (2013.01); F16C 33/3806 (2013.01); F16C 43/04 (2013.01); F16C 2226/74 (2013.01)] 15 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A multi-component snap assembly comprising:
a bearing cage first component including a snap flange having a snap nose with a contact face including a relief and a retention face coextensive with the contact face; and
a bearing ring second component including a retention pocket configured to engage with the contact face during insertion of the second component relative to the first component;
wherein the relief has a parabolic profile that extends in a circumferential direction or the relief extends from a first circumferential end of the snap flange, and a secondary relief is defined on a second, opposite circumferential end of the snap flange.
 
10. A method of attaching a first component with a second component, the method comprising:
providing:
a bearing cage as the first component including a snap flange with a snap nose having a contact face with a relief and a retention face coextensive with the contact face; and
a bearing ring as the second component including a retention pocket;
pressing the second component relative to the first component such that the contact face engages the retention pocket to secure the first component to the second component;
wherein the relief has a parabolic profile that extends in a circumferential direction or the relief extends from a first circumferential end of the snap flange, and a secondary relief is defined on a second, opposite circumferential end of the snap flange.
 
15. A method of attaching a first component with a second component, the method comprising:
providing:
a bearing cage as the first component including a snap flange with a snap nose having a contact face with a relief and a retention face coextensive with the contact face; and
a bearing ring as the second component including a retention pocket;
pressing the second component relative to the first component such that the contact face engages the retention pocket to secure the first component to the second component, wherein in areas away from the relief, the snap flange includes a tip, a top round region adjacent to the tip, a transition region adjacent to the top round region, and a retention face region adjacent to the transition region, and in a circumferential direction, the top round region has a curved profile, the transition region has a slanted profile, and the retention face region has a flat profile.