Double-sided outer seal

Abstract

Seal (100) with a body (109) that has bilateral symmetry. The body comprises of a first sealing lip (110) on a right side of the body and a second sealing lip (112) on the right side of the body thatis positioned radially below and axially inward with respect to the first sealing lip. The body further comprises of a third sealing lip (111) on a left side of the body and a fourth sealing lip (113)on the left side of the body positioned radially below and axially inward with respect to the third sealing lip. In the installed position, the first sealing lip is flexed away from the second sealing lip and the third sealing lip is flexed away from the fourth sealing lip.

Description

technical field [0001] This application claims priority to US Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 183,817, filed June 24, 2015, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference. Background technique [0002] Pivot joints used in linkages of work vehicles such as, for example, loading trenchers and four wheel drive loaders include pins and bushings to allow relative rotation between the connected parts. These pivot joints traditionally include a seal between the pin and the bushing as a debris barrier. However, due to the harsh environment in which these vehicles are used (ie, an environment with a lot of dirt and debris), the dirt and debris try to pass through these obstructions and cause accelerated wear of the pivot joints. [0003] Some manufacturers of work vehicles have sought to remedy the difficulties outlined above by forming a pre-obstruction, i.e. a first line of defense against debris, via an O-ring located between the outer surface of the connecting...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

However, due to the harsh environment in which these vehicles are used (i.e., environments with a lot of dirt and debris), the dirt and debris try to pass through these obstructions and cause accelerated wear of the pivot joints

[0003] Some manufacturers of work vehicles have sought to remedy the difficulties outlined above by forming a pre-obstruction (i.e. a first line of defense against debris) via an O-ring located between the outer surface of the connecting portion of the linkage and the work tool; However, this approach has led to at least two difficulties: (1) O-rings are generally circular, so that dirt and debris eventually pass through the O-ring and into the space between the pin and bushing; and ( 2) O-rings wear out and their eventual replacement requires disconnection of the swivel connection and requires considerable expense in terms of time and money

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