US 12,146,529 B2
Planar bearing joint with robust seal
Anderson Les, Rochester Hills, MI (US); Victor Wong, Lake Orion, MI (US); Jeffry J. Pniewski, Metamora, MI (US); and Marcelo Augusto Goncalves Fonseca, Macomb, MI (US)
Assigned to GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC, Detroit, MI (US)
Filed by GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC, Detroit, MI (US)
Filed on Dec. 19, 2022, as Appl. No. 18/084,136.
Prior Publication US 2024/0200608 A1, Jun. 20, 2024
Int. Cl. F16C 35/02 (2006.01); F16C 33/74 (2006.01); B60G 7/00 (2006.01)
CPC F16C 35/02 (2013.01) [F16C 33/74 (2013.01); B60G 7/00 (2013.01); B60G 7/008 (2013.01); B60G 2204/418 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A planar joint assembly for pivotally supporting an arm to a support structure, comprising:
an outer sleeve having an interior opening extending therethrough;
a shaft extending through the interior opening of the outer sleeve and including an integrated washer extending radially outward from a central portion thereof;
a pair of bearing sleeves each adjacent to a respective one of a pair of thrust bearings and engaging the shaft on an inner diameter surface and engaging the outer sleeve on an outer diameter surface;
a pair of threaded washers threadedly engaged within respective opposite ends of the outer sleeve;
a seal system received in a cavity in each of the pair of threaded washers; and
a pair of retaining rings received in an opening end of the cavity of a respective one of the pair of threaded washers and securing the seal system within the respective threaded washers.