Piloting configuration for thrust bearing assembly

Abstract

A thrust bearing assembly comprising first and second thrust race members ( 52, 60 ) and a roller assembly ( 22 ) positioned therebetween. The first thrust race member ( 52 ) includes a radial race surface ( 53 ), a flange extending from the race surface and a radial lip ( 54 ) extending radially beyond the flange ( 56 ). The second thrust race member ( 60 ) includes a radial race surface ( 61 ) and a piloting flange extending from the race surface and includes a retaining lip ( 64 ). The second thrust member ( 60 ) is positioned within the first thrust member ( 52 ) radial lip ( 54 ) and retained thereby and there is a clearance between the retaining lip ( 54 ) and the first thrust race member flange ( 56 ) external surface.

1. A thrust bearing assembly comprising:
 a first thrust race member including a radial race surface, a flange extending from the race surface and having an external surface having a diameter e, and a radial lip extending radially beyond the flange, the radial lip having a maximum diameter D that is greater than the diameter e;  
 a roller assembly positioned about the first thrust race member flange external surface within the first thrust member radial lip; and  
 a second thrust race member including a radial race surface and a piloting flange extending from the race surface and including a retaining lip, the retaining lip has a minimum diameter d that is less than the maximum diameter D and greater than the diameter e such that the second thrust member is positioned within the first thrust member radial lip and retained thereby and there is a clearance between the retaining lip and the first thrust race member flange external surface.  
 
     
     
       2. The thrust bearing assembly of  claim 1  wherein the first thrust race member flange extends in a first direction past the roller assembly and the second thrust race member piloting flange extends away from the roller assembly in the first direction. 
     
     
       3. The thrust bearing assembly of  claim 1  wherein the first thrust race member lip is defined by a drawn cup positioned about the first thrust race member. 
     
     
       4. The thrust bearing assembly of  claim 1  wherein the first thrust race member flange includes a bent portion to define the first thrust race member lip. 
     
     
       5. The thrust bearing assembly of  claim 1  wherein the first thrust race member lip extends from the first thrust race member flange at an angle between 45 and 90 degrees. 
     
     
       6. The thrust bearing assembly of  claim 1  wherein the second thrust race member retaining lip extends from the second thrust race member piloting flange at an angle between 45 and 90 degrees. 
     
     
       7. The thrust bearing assembly of  claim 1  wherein the second thrust race member retaining lip extends from the second thrust race member piloting flange at an angle between 0 and 90 degrees. 
     
     
       8. The thrust bearing assembly of  claim 1  wherein the second thrust race member piloting flange is defined by a series of spaced apart clips. 
     
     
       9. The thrust bearing assembly of  claim 1  wherein the second thrust race member retaining lip is defined by a series of spaced apart tabs. 
     
     
       10. An assembly comprising:
 first and second back up members rotatable relative to one another, the first back up member defining an internal surface having a diameter B and the second back up member defining an external surface having a diameter E; and  
 a thrust bearing assembly comprising: 
 a first thrust race member including a radial race surface, a flange extending from the race surface and having an external surface having a diameter e and an internal surface having a diameter i that is substantially equal to the diameter E, and a radial lip extending radially beyond the flange, the radial lip having a maximum diameter D that is greater than the diameter e;  
 a roller assembly positioned about the first thrust race member flange external surface within the first thrust member radial lip; and  
 a second thrust race member including a radial race surface and a piloting flange extending from the race surface and having an external surface having a diameter P that is substantially equal to the diameter B, the piloting flange including a retaining lip, the retaining lip having a minimum diameter d that is less than the maximum diameter D and greater than the diameter e such that the second thrust member is positioned within the first thrust member radial lip and retained thereby;  
 
 wherein the thrust bearing assembly is positioned between the first and second back up members with the first thrust race member flange internal surface piloting on the second back up member external surface and the second thrust race member piloting flange external surface piloting on the first back up member internal surface such that there is a clearance between the retaining lip and the first thrust race member flange external surface.  
 
     
     
       11. The assembly of  claim 10  wherein the first back up member is a short sun and the second back up member is a long sun of a planetary gear set. 
     
     
       12. The assembly of  claim 10  wherein the first back up member is a housing and the second back up member is a shaft. 
     
     
       13. The thrust bearing assembly of  claim 10  wherein the first thrust race member flange extends in a first direction past the roller assembly and the second thrust race member piloting flange extends away from the roller assembly in the first direction. 
     
     
       14. The thrust bearing assembly of  claim 10  wherein the first thrust race member lip is defined by a drawn cup positioned about the first thrust race member. 
     
     
       15. The thrust bearing assembly of  claim 10  wherein the first thrust race member flange includes a bent portion to define the first thrust race member lip. 
     
     
       16. The thrust bearing assembly of  claim 10  wherein the first thrust race member lip extends from the first thrust race member flange at an angle between 45 and 90 degrees. 
     
     
       17. The thrust bearing assembly of  claim 10  wherein the second thrust race member retaining lip extends from the second thrust race member piloting flange at an angle between 45 and 90 degrees. 
     
     
       18. The thrust bearing assembly of  claim 10  wherein the second thrust race member retaining lip extends from the second thrust race member piloting flange at an angle between 0 and 90 degrees. 
     
     
       19. The thrust bearing assembly of  claim 10  wherein the second thrust race member piloting flange is defined by a series of spaced apart clips. 
     
     
       20. The thrust bearing assembly of  claim 10  wherein the second thrust race member retaining lip is defined by a series of spaced apart tabs.