subject: Rasching ring [print this page] Rasching ring Rasching ring
A circular waved retaining rasching ring is formed from two turns of a flat elongate wire strip and which follow a continuous sinusoidal wave path that includes a series of waves equidistantly spaced about the ring wavepath, each wave having a shoulder portion which bears against generally parallel surfaces of the working elements positioned on a shaft or in a cylinder bore. The ring fits in a rectangular groove formed either on a shaft or in a cylinder bore, the width of the groove being slightly greater than the distance between successive wave crests and troughs.
Retaining rasching rings are widely used in many fields to retain working elements on either shafts or within cylinder bores. When retaining rings are used on cylindrical shafts to retain a plurality of working elements assembled thereon, it is desirablethat such rings retain the elements in their specific working positions on the shaft by applying a substantial pressure on the elements. The shaft elements, however, may be manufactured with a tolerance; that is the elements may either exceed theirspecified nominal longitudinal distance or be slightly thereunder. In the first instance where the shaft elements are oversized, the shaft elements will intrude into the retaining ring location on the shaft. In the second instance where the shaftelements are undersized, the retaining ring may not bear against the elements and thus the elements may travel along the shaft. Therefore, it is necessary in the prior art that retaining rasching ringgrooves be located in a precise position on the workingmember.
Typically, circular retaining rasching ringsare held in position in a circumferential channel on a shaft. These circular retainer rings should preferably exert a uniform pressure on the shaft elements around the entire circumference of the shaft toprevent any radial misalignment between the shaft elements and the binding thereof. Prior attempts to achieve this pressure have utilized retaining rings having a dished-type configuration, such as that shown in U.S. Pat. No. 3,319,508, wherein theouter edge of the ring which engages the shaft components is offset from the ring's inner edge. Retaining rings of this type require a particular configuration of the shaft channel or groove such as the beveled groove shown therein, so as to provideproper positioning for the retaining ring against the shaft elements. Retaining rings which sit in non-rectangular grooves, such as beveled grooves, are more likely to undergo ring shear than those in rectangular grooves, and are likely to "ride" out ofthose grooves.
In a retaining rasching ring incorporating the principles of the present invention a circular retaining ring is formed from a flat wire strip into a continuous circular and substantially sinusoidal wavepath in which successive wave crests and troughsinclude load supporting shoulders which engage the working elements and a radial wall of the groove of the working member. The ring contains a minimum of three waves equidistantly spaced on the wavepath to ensure uniform abutting engagement with thegroove and the working element.
The present invention is directed to a construction which avoids the abovementioned shortcomings.
Accordingly, it is a general object of the present invention to provide a new and improved retaining ring for use on axial shafts or in cylinder bores.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a multiturn retaining ring which applies a uniform pressure on working elements which are over or under dimensioned.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a retaining ring in the form of a multiturn waved ring having a series of waves which include shoulder portions which abut against the working element and the retaining ring groove.
It is still a further object of the present invention to provide a waved retaining rasching ring which exerts a uniform pressure on working elements.
It is still yet a further object of the present invention to provide a compressible retaining ring for use in an annular rectangular groove which ring is capable of a preselected amount of deflection, thereby eliminating the need for precisepositioning of the groove with respect to the working elements.
These and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be clearly understood through a consideration of the following detailed description.
