SELF DIMENSIONING BEARING ASSEMBLY

摘要

A molded plastic pivot body is formed with an integrally molded sleeve bearing for journaling a pivot shaft of a windshield wiper system for a motor vehicle. The bearing includes concentric, radially spaced sleeves interconnected by webs disposed in the annular spaces between the sleeves. The inner sleeve is slotted axially, the slots being circumferentially spaced from each other. The annular spaces between adjacent webs form grease retainers and the slots serve as shaft lubricator as well as dirt collector grooves. The thickness of the outer sleeve wall is of a value which permits the outer sleeve to yield. The bearing is arranged on the pivot body support bracket unconfined so that the outer sleeve is free to flex. The segments formed by the slots in the inner sleeve are resilient and flexible. Radial forces applied to effect flexing of the segments is transmitted through the webs to the outer sleeve causing it to yield. A shaft of larger dimension than the inner diameter of the inner sleeve may be accomodated.