US 12,146,544 B2
System consisting of a flexible outer bearing sleeve of an elastomer bearing and a bearing tube
Nico Schönhoff, Braunschweig (DE); Jana-Maria Harke, Braunschweig (DE); and Carsten Ziwica, Braunschweig (DE)
Assigned to VOLKSWAGEN AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT, (DE)
Filed by VOLKSWAGEN AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT, Wolfsburg (DE)
Filed on Oct. 27, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/511,630.
Claims priority of application No. 10 2020 214 302.1 (DE), filed on Nov. 13, 2020.
Prior Publication US 2022/0154770 A1, May 19, 2022
Int. Cl. F16C 33/20 (2006.01); F16F 1/38 (2006.01); F16F 15/04 (2006.01); F16C 17/02 (2006.01)
CPC F16F 1/3835 (2013.01) [F16F 1/3842 (2013.01); F16F 1/3863 (2013.01); F16F 15/04 (2013.01)] 8 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A system configured to prohibit disassembly of a form-fitting, bearing to bearing tube interconnection producing an extraction force there between, wherein the system consists of:
an elastomer bearing including a single layer, flexible outer bearing sleeve; and
a metal bearing tube,
wherein the single layer, flexible, outer bearing sleeve and the metal bearing tube are configured such that the single layer, flexible, outer bearing sleeve is press-fitted in the metal bearing tube along a press-fitting direction thereby establishing a direct form-fitting interconnection between the single layer, flexible, outer bearing sleeve and the metal bearing tube,
wherein the single layer, flexible, outer bearing sleeve includes an external profile having outward-projecting shoulders and introduction ramps running inward in the press-fitting direction along the entire external circumference of the single layer, flexible, outer bearing sleeve continuously, respectively, along the external circumference of the single layer, flexible, outer bearing sleeve,
wherein the metal bearing tube comprises an internal profile stamped along its entire circumference, wherein the internal profile form-fittingly communicates directly with the external profile of a contact surface of the single layer, flexible, outer bearing sleeve along its entire circumference,
wherein rigidity of at least the internal profile of the metal bearing tube causes the external profile of the contact surface of the single layer, flexible, outer bearing sleeve to deform in response to the press-fitting the single layer, flexible, outer bearing sleeve in the metal bearing tube so as to directly contact the metal bearing tube,
wherein the internal profile of the metal bearing tube remains rigidly undeformed in response to the press-fitting the single layer, flexible, outer bearing sleeve in the metal bearing tube while in direct contact with the metal bearing tube, and
wherein, by the press-fitting of the single layer, flexible, outer bearing sleeve in the metal bearing tube, the extraction force required for disassembly thereof is maximized as a result of the direct communication between the metal bearing tube and the single layer, flexible, outer bearing sleeve along the entire area of the form-fit between the single layer, flexible, outer bearing sleeve and the metal bearing tube.