AN IMPROVED SPHERICAL PLAIN BEARING AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURING THEREOF

摘要

The improved spherical plain bearing of the present invention is formed using a unique method of manufacture which includes surface hardening of the outer ring and the inner ring wherein the outer ring includes a fracture zone having a reduced cross-sectional area which allows the case hardening diffusion technique to penetrate much deeper into the ring fracture zone than in the other areas thereof. In this manner the reduced cross-section area of the outer ring provides a more brittle area with less of the more ductile interior steel which is more difficult to fracture. Such fracturing is necessary with such plain spherical bearings in order to allow placement of the inner ring within the outer ring. The spherical plain bearing produced by this method can include a single fracture or double fracture. Thus this bearing provides significant structural strength due to the inner core of softer more ductile steel while at the same time providing enhanced wear characteristics due to the case hardened outer layer on both the inner and outer races.