Claims:CLAIMS
We claim,
1. A bearing assembly 100 for a power transmission unit, said bearing
assembly 100 comprising:
a plurality of resilient means 102, each of said resilient means 102 adapted to dampen the vibration generated by corresponding gears of the power transmission unit;
a plurality of vibration dampening assemblies 104, each of said vibration dampening assembly 104 having a resilient means 104a adapted to dampen the vibration generated by corresponding gears of the power transmission unit, and a control valve 104b adapted to be connected the resilient means 104a; and
a plurality of rolling elements 106, each of said rolling element 106 having a resilient means receiving portion 106a defining a first end 106f adapted to receive at least one of said resilient means 102, and a second end 106s adapted to receive at least one of said vibration dampening assembly 104, where each of said rolling element 106 adapted to be disposed between an inner bearing ring 110 and an outer bearing ring 108,
wherein
each of said resilient means 102 and each of said vibration dampening assembly 104 defines a chamber C adapted to hold a fluid, where the fluid is adapted to dampen the vibration generated by corresponding gears of the power transmission unit; and
the control valve 104b of each of said vibration dampening assembly 104 is adapted to allow the fluid from a fluid supplying means to flow to corresponding chamber C.

2. The bearing assembly 100 as claimed in claim 1, wherein each of said resilient means 102 is at least one of a disc spring and a cushion spring.

3. The bearing assembly 100 as claimed in claim 1, wherein the resilient means 104a of each of said vibration dampening assembly 104 is at least one of a disc spring and a cushion spring.

4. The bearing assembly 100 as claimed in claim 1, wherein the control valve 104b of each of said vibration dampening assembly 104 is at least a one directional check valve.

5. The bearing assembly 100 as claimed in claim 1, wherein the fluid is at least one of an inert gas and a hydraulic oil.

6. The bearing assembly 100 as claimed in claim 1, wherein the power transmission unit 10 is configured to be provided in at least one of a vehicle and a machine.

7. The bearing assembly 100 as claimed in claim 1, wherein said bearing assembly 100 is at least one of a cylindrical roller bearing assembly and a taper roller bearing assembly.

8. A bearing assembly 100 comprising:
a plurality of resilient means 102;
a plurality of vibration dampening assemblies 104, each of said vibration dampening assembly 104 having a resilient means 104a and a control valve 104b adapted to be connected the resilient means 104a; and
a plurality of rolling elements 106, each of said rolling element 106 having a resilient means receiving portion 106a defining a first end 106f adapted to receive at least one of said resilient means 102, and a second end 106s adapted to receive at least one of said vibration dampening assembly 104, where each of said rolling element 106 adapted to be disposed between an inner bearing ring 110 and an outer bearing ring 108,
wherein
each of said resilient means 102 and each of said vibration dampening assembly 104 defines a chamber C adapted to hold a fluid; and
the control valve 104b of each of said vibration dampening assembly 104 is adapted to allow the fluid from a fluid supplying means to flow to corresponding chamber C.

9. The bearing assembly 100 as claimed in claim 8, wherein each of said resilient means 102 is at least one of a disc spring and a cushion spring.

10. The bearing assembly 100 as claimed in claim 8, wherein the resilient means 104a of each of said vibration dampening assembly 104 is at least one of a disc spring and a cushion spring.
, Description:TECHNICAL FIELD
[001] The embodiments herein generally relate to bearings and more particularly, to a bearing assembly for a power transmission unit, which effectively dampens the vibration generated by corresponding gears in the power transmission unit of vehicles, industrial machines and the like.

BACKGROUND
[002] Generally, bearing is a means which allows rotating members such as shafts, axles and the like, to rotate or move in contact with another rotating part with less friction. Bearings are used to support the rotating member (shaft, axle and the like) and facilitate smooth rotational motion of the rotating members by reducing the friction between rotating members. Bearings are commonly used in a power transmission unit (gearbox assembly) of vehicles, industrial machines, and the like. Bearings are also used in engines, electric motors, pumps, motorcycles, wind turbines and paper making industrial machines. A cylindrical roller bearing includes an inner ring, an outer ring, solid cylindrical rollers and a cage. The cylindrical roller bearing is used to accommodate high radial loads and some amount of axial loads. The cylindrical roller bearings are suitable for high speed applications. The cylindrical roller bearings are mounted onto corresponding shaft of the power transmission unit and are assembled to a housing of the power transmission unit. In the power transmission unit, vibrations are generated due to rotating of gears pairs and the vibrations are then transmitted to corresponding inner ring of the cylindrical roller bearing through corresponding shaft. Thereafter, the vibrations are transmitted to corresponding outer ring through corresponding solid cylindrical rollers of the cylindrical roller bearing and finally the vibrations are transmitted to the housing of the power transmission unit through corresponding outer ring of the cylindrical roller bearing. However, the aforementioned cylindrical roller bearing is not efficient in dampening the vibrations generated due to rotating of gears pairs in the power transmission unit thereby causing noise. Further, the solid cylindrical rollers of the aforementioned cylindrical roller bearing have low structural rigidity.
[003] Therefore, there exists a need for a bearing assembly for a power transmission unit, which obviates the aforementioned drawbacks.

OBJECTS
[004] The principal object of an embodiment of this invention is to provide a bearing assembly for a power transmission unit of at least one of a vehicle, a machine and the like, which effectively dampens the vibration generated by corresponding gears of the power transmission unit.
[005] Another object of an embodiment of this invention is to provide a bearing assembly for a power transmission unit of at least one of a vehicle, a machine and the like, which reduces the noise generated in the power transmission unit.
[006] Yet another object of an embodiment of this invention is to provide a bearing assembly for a power transmission unit of at least one of a vehicle, a machine and the like, which has high structural rigidity and less weight.
[007] These and other objects of the embodiments herein will be better appreciated and understood when considered in conjunction with the following description and the accompanying drawings. It should be understood, however, that the following descriptions, while indicating embodiments and numerous specific details thereof, are given by way of illustration and not of limitation. Many changes and modifications may be made within the scope of the embodiments herein without departing from the spirit thereof, and the embodiments herein include all such modifications.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[008] The embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, throughout which like reference letters indicate corresponding parts in the various figures. The embodiments herein will be better understood from the following description with reference to the drawings, in which:
[009] FIG. 1 depicts a left side view of a bearing assembly for a power transmission unit, according to an embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein;
[0010] FIG. 2 depicts a cross-sectional view of the bearing assembly for the power transmission unit, according to an embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein; and
[0011] FIG. 3 depicts a cross-sectional view of a rolling element with at least one resilient means and at least one vibration dampening assembly of the bearing assembly in assembled condition, according to an embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0012] The embodiments herein and the various features and advantageous details thereof are explained more fully with reference to the non-limiting embodiments that are illustrated in the accompanying drawings and detailed in the following description. Descriptions of well-known components and processing techniques are omitted so as to not unnecessarily obscure the embodiments herein. The examples used herein are intended merely to facilitate an understanding of ways in which the embodiments herein may be practiced and to further enable those of skill in the art to practice the embodiments herein. Accordingly, the examples should not be construed as limiting the scope of the embodiments herein.
[0013] The embodiments herein achieve a bearing assembly for a power transmission unit of at least one of a vehicle, a machine and the like, which effectively dampens the vibration generated by corresponding gears of the power transmission unit. Referring now to the drawings and more particularly to FIGS. 1 through 3, where similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the figures, there are shown embodiments.
[0014] FIG. 2 depicts a cross-sectional view of the bearing assembly 100 for the power transmission unit, according to an embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein. In an embodiment, the power transmission unit (not shown) includes a plurality of bearing assemblies 100, a plurality of shafts (not shown), a plurality of gears (not shown), a housing (not shown) and may include other standard components as present in standard power transmission unit (gear box assembly). In an embodiment, each bearing assembly 100 includes a plurality of resilient means 102 (as shown in fig. 1, fig. 2 and fig. 3), a plurality of vibration dampening assembly 104 (as shown in fig. 2 and fig. 3), a plurality of rolling elements 106 (as shown in fig. 1, fig. 2 and fig. 3), an outer bearing ring 108 (as shown in fig. 1 and fig. 2), an inner bearing ring 110 (as shown in fig. 1 and fig. 2) and a cage 112. Each bearing assembly 100 is mounted onto corresponding portion (not shown) of corresponding shaft (not shown) of the power transmission unit (not shown). The bearing assembly 100 is explained herein below with reference to a cylindrical roller bearing assembly. It is also within the scope of the invention to use/implement the components (the plurality of resilient means 102 and the plurality of vibration dampening assembly 104) of the bearing assembly 100 in taper roller bearing assembly or any other type of bearings. In an embodiment, the power transmission unit (not shown) is a manual power transmission unit. In another embodiment, the power transmission unit (not shown) is a transaxle power transmission unit. For the purpose of this description and ease of understanding, the bearing assembly 100 is explained herein below with reference to power transmission unit (not shown) of a vehicle. It is also within the scope of the invention to provide the bearing assembly 100 in automated manual transmission unit (AMT) or power shuttle transmission unit or any other power transmission unit of the vehicle or any other systems/machines using power transmission unit (gear box assembly) or wind turbines or generators or turbines or any other machines/systems using rotary shafts.
[0015] In an embodiment, each resilient means 102 of each bearing assembly 100 is used to dampen the vibration generated by corresponding gears (not shown) of the power transmission unit (not shown). Each resilient means 102 is received by a resilient means receiving portion 106a (as shown in fig. 2 and fig. 3) of corresponding rolling element 106 of each bearing assembly 100. In an embodiment, each resilient means 102 of each bearing assembly 100 is at least one of a disc spring and a cushion spring. It is also within the scope of the invention to provide any other type of springs or cushioning means for dampening the vibrations generated by corresponding gears (not shown) of the power transmission unit (not shown).
[0016] In an embodiment, each vibration dampening assembly 104 of each bearing assembly 100 includes at least one resilient means 104a and at least one control valve 104b. Each vibration dampening assembly 104 of each bearing assembly 100 is received by the resilient means receiving portion 106a of corresponding rolling element 106 of each bearing assembly 100. In an embodiment, the resilient means 104a of each vibration dampening assembly 104 of each bearing assembly 100 is used to dampen the vibration generated by corresponding gears (not shown) of the power transmission unit (not shown). In an embodiment, the resilient means 104a of each vibration dampening assembly 104 of each bearing assembly 100 includes a control valve receiving portion (not shown) adapted to receive corresponding control valve 104b, where the control valve receiving portion (not shown) is an opening. In an embodiment, each resilient means 104a of each vibration dampening assembly 104 of each bearing assembly 100 is at least one of a disc spring and a cushion spring. It is also within the scope of the invention to provide any other type of springs or cushioning means for dampening the vibrations generated by corresponding gears (not shown) of the power transmission unit (not shown). In an embodiment, the control valve 104b of each vibration dampening assembly 104 of each bearing assembly 100 is connected to corresponding resilient means 104a of corresponding vibration dampening assembly 104 of corresponding bearing assembly 100. Each resilient means 102 and each vibration dampening assembly 104 of each bearing assembly 100 defines a chamber C (as shown in fig. 2 and fig. 3) adapted to hold a fluid (not shown). Further, in an embodiment, the control valve 104b of each vibration dampening assembly 104 of each bearing assembly 100 is used to allow a fluid (not shown) from a fluid supplying means (not shown) to flow to the chamber C defined by each resilient means 102 and each vibration dampening assembly 104 of corresponding bearing assembly 100. In an embodiment, the control valve 104b of each vibration dampening assembly 104 of each bearing assembly 100 is at least one of a one directional check valve. It is also within the scope of the invention to provide any other type of control valves or any other means for allowing the fluid from the fluid supplying means (not shown) to corresponding chamber C of each bearing assembly 100. The fluid (not shown) in corresponding chamber C of each bearing assembly 100 is used to dampen the vibration generated by corresponding gears (not shown) of the power transmission unit (not shown). In an embodiment, the fluid in corresponding chamber C of each bearing assembly 100 is at least one of an inert gas and a hydraulic oil. It is also within the scope of the invention to provide any other type of gas or any other type of fluid for dampening the vibration generated by corresponding gears (not shown) of the power transmission unit (not shown).
[0017] Each rolling element 106 of each bearing assembly 100 rolls between corresponding inner bearing ring 110 and corresponding outer bearing ring 108 to facilitate rotation of corresponding shaft (not shown) of the power transmission unit (not shown). In an embodiment, each rolling element 106 of each bearing assembly 100 includes a resilient means receiving portion 106a (as shown in fig. 2 and fig. 3) defining a first end 106f (as shown in fig. 2 and fig. 3) adapted to receive at least one resilient means 102, and a second end 106s (as shown in fig. 2 and fig. 3) adapted to receive at least one vibration dampening assembly 104. The resilient means receiving portion 106a of each vibration dampening assembly 104 of each bearing assembly 100 is an opening. It is also within the scope of the invention to have the first end 106f of the resilient means receiving portion 106a of each rolling element 106 of corresponding bearing assembly 100 closed and the second end 106 to receive at least one vibration dampening assembly 104, where the closed first end 106a of the resilient means receiving portion 106a of each rolling element 106 of each bearing assembly 100 and each vibration dampening assembly 104 of corresponding bearing assembly 100 defines the chamber adapted to hold the fluid.
[0018] The outer bearing ring 108 of each bearing assembly 100 is used to facilitate the rolling of each rolling element 106 of corresponding bearing assembly 100. The outer bearing ring 108 of each bearing assembly 100 is assembled to corresponding opening (not shown) of the housing (not shown) of the power transmission unit (not shown).
[0019] The inner bearing ring 110 of each bearing assembly 100 is used to facilitate the rolling of each rolling element 106 of corresponding bearing assembly 100. The inner bearing ring 110 of each bearing assembly 100 is mounted onto corresponding portion (not shown) of corresponding shaft (not shown) of the power transmission unit (not shown).
[0020] The cage 112 of each bearing assembly 100 includes a plurality of openings (not shown) adapted to hold corresponding rolling elements 106 at a pre-defined distance from each other.
[0021] The assembly of each bearing assembly 100 is as follows. Each resilient means 102 of each bearing assembly 100 is assembled or provided to the first end 106f of the resilient means receiving portion 106a of each rolling element 106 of corresponding bearing assembly 100. Thereafter, each vibration dampening assembly 104 of each bearing assembly 100 is assembled or provided to the second end 106s of the resilient means receiving portion 106a of each rolling element 106 of corresponding bearing assembly 100. Thereafter, the fluid is supplied or charged to corresponding chamber C of each bearing assembly 100 by the fluid supplying means (not shown) through corresponding control valve 104b of corresponding vibration dampening assembly 104 of corresponding bearing assembly 100. Thereafter, each rolling element of each bearing assembly 100 is assembled or provided to corresponding opening (nor shown) of the cage 112 of corresponding bearing assembly 100. Thereafter, the cage 112 of each bearing assembly 100 with corresponding rolling element 106 in assembled condition is assembled/disposed between corresponding inner bearing ring 110 and corresponding outer bearing ring 108 of corresponding bearing assembly 100.
[0022] The foregoing description of the specific embodiments will so fully reveal the general nature of the embodiments herein that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily modify and/or adapt for various applications such specific embodiments without departing from the generic concept, and, therefore, such adaptations and modifications should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. Therefore, while the embodiments herein have been described in terms of embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the embodiments herein can be practiced with modification within the spirit and scope of the embodiments as described herein.