Sealing device and bearing

Abstract

The invention relates to a sealing device and a bearing. The invention provides a sealing device, which is used for performing dynamic sealing between a first rotating part and a second rotating part which can relatively rotate around a rotating axis, and comprises a framework, a sealing part and a sealing part, and is characterized in that the framework is used for being fixed on the first rotating part; the sealing ring is fixed to the framework and comprises an axial sealing lip and a radial sealing lip; the antifriction patch is of an integral annular structure and comprises an axial patch part connected to the axial sealing lip and a radial patch part connected to the radial sealing lip, when the sealing device is installed between the first rotating component and the second rotating component, the axial patch part is used for making sealing contact with the second rotating component in the axial direction, and the radial patch part is used for making sealing contact with the first rotating component in the radial direction. The radial patch part is used for being in sealing contact with the second rotating component in the radial direction, and the friction coefficient of the friction reducing patch is smaller than that of the sealing ring.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of sealing technology, and more specifically, to the field of bearing sealing technology. Background Art

[0002] Figure 1 A schematic cross-sectional view of a bearing according to one embodiment is shown. Figure 2 FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of a bearing sealing device according to an embodiment. Figure 1 As shown, the bearing includes a sealing device 10, an inner ring 20, an outer ring 30 and a bearing seat 40. Figure 2 As shown, the sealing device 10 includes a frame 11 and a sealing ring 12, and the sealing ring 12 includes a radial sealing lip and an axial sealing lip. To prevent water and pollutants from entering the interior of the bearing, the radial sealing lip and the axial sealing lip are in interference contact with the bearing seat 40 and the outer ring 30 respectively, as shown in FIG. Figure 1 shown.

[0003] For example, the bearing can be mounted on the steering column of a motorcycle. The steering column is highly dynamic, and the bearing for the steering column rotates in both directions, with the direction of rotation changing rapidly and repeatedly and the rotation angle changing randomly. When the bearing rotates, the radial sealing lip of the bearing deforms on the contact surface due to the friction between the radial sealing lip and the bearing ring, forming a wave structure. The wave structure can push away contaminants on the radial outer side of the bearing (air side) to prevent them from entering the bearing, and can push lubricant on the radial inner side of the bearing back into the bearing to prevent it from leaking.

[0004] When the bearing suddenly reverses its direction of rotation, the direction of the wave structure on the radial sealing lip in contact with the bearing ring also changes. However, the movement direction of the lubricant and contaminants cannot be changed in time due to inertia. Therefore, when encountering a wave structure with a change of direction, due to the negative pressure of the sealing lip, the contaminants may be pushed into the inner side of the bearing, and the lubricant may be pushed out of the outer side of the bearing, causing the lubricant to leak.

[0005] In addition, a relatively large friction torque is generated at the contact surface between the rubber sealing lip and the metal bearing ring. This friction causes the rubber sealing lip to wear, thereby reducing the service life of the sealing ring.

[0006] For this reason, a sealing device and a bearing that can improve sealing performance in bidirectional rotation are needed. In addition, a sealing device and a bearing that can reduce wear are also needed. Summary of the invention

[0007] One object of the present invention is to provide a sealing device and a bearing capable of improving the sealing performance in bidirectional rotation. Another object of the present invention is to provide a sealing device and a bearing capable of improving the service life of components.

[0008] One aspect of the present invention provides a sealing device for dynamically sealing between a first rotating component and a second rotating component that can rotate relative to each other around a rotation axis, and comprises: a skeleton, which is used to be fixed to the first rotating component; a sealing ring, which is fixed to the skeleton and comprises an axial sealing lip and a radial sealing lip; and an anti-friction patch, which has an overall annular structure and comprises an axial patch portion connected to the axial sealing lip and a radial patch portion connected to the radial sealing lip, wherein, when the sealing device is installed between the first rotating component and the second rotating component, the axial patch portion is used to seal in contact with the second rotating component in the axial direction, and the radial patch portion is used to seal in contact with the second rotating component in the radial direction, and wherein the friction coefficient of the anti-friction patch is less than the friction coefficient of the sealing ring.

[0009] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the axial patch portion and the radial patch portion of the anti-friction patch are formed integrally.

[0010] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the anti-friction patch is made of polytetrafluoroethylene.

[0011] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the friction-reducing patch is arranged on the sealing ring through a vulcanization process.

[0012] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the sealing ring includes a connecting portion and an elastic portion, the connecting portion is used to be fixed to the frame, the elastic portion includes an axial sealing lip and a radial sealing lip, and the friction-reducing patch is connected to a side of the elastic portion away from the frame, wherein, when the sealing device is installed between the first rotating component and the second rotating component, the elastic portion and the friction-reducing patch can be elastically deformed to form an interference fit with the second rotating component.

[0013] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the sealing ring further comprises a waist portion, and the connecting portion and the elastic portion are configured to be connected via the waist portion, so that both the axial sealing lip and the radial sealing lip extend from the waist portion in a direction away from the connecting portion.

[0014] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the axial sealing lip and the radial sealing lip are configured to extend from the waist in directions away from each other, respectively.

[0015] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the sealing ring is made of rubber.

[0016] Another aspect of the present invention provides a bearing comprising a sealing device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0017] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the bearing further comprises an inner ring, an outer ring and a bearing seat, wherein the anti-friction patch of the sealing device is arranged to be in sealing contact with the outer ring in the axial direction and in sealing contact with the bearing seat in the radial direction.

[0018] In the sealing device and the bearing according to the embodiment of the present invention, the anti-friction patch is arranged on the sealing ring and the friction coefficient of the anti-friction patch is less than the friction coefficient of the sealing ring. More specifically, the anti-friction patch is made of polytetrafluoroethylene. By adopting the anti-friction patch with a low friction coefficient, it is not easy to generate a wave structure between the sealing device and the outer ring of the bearing, the bearing seat, etc. Therefore, even if the rotation direction of the bearing changes suddenly, the pollutants located on the outside of the bearing will not be pushed into the bearing due to the negative pressure generated by the wave structure, and the lubricant located on the inside of the bearing will not be pushed out to the outside of the bearing. Therefore, the sealing performance of the sealing device can be improved. In addition, the anti-friction patch made of polytetrafluoroethylene also has a higher wear resistance, thereby reducing the wear of the sealing device and extending the service life of the sealing device. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019] Figure 1 A schematic cross-sectional view of a bearing according to one embodiment is shown.

[0020] Figure 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a sealing device for a bearing according to an embodiment.

[0021] Figure 3 A partial cross-sectional schematic diagram of a bearing according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown.

[0022] Figure 4 A schematic cross-sectional view of a sealing device according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown.

[0023] Figure 5 An axonometric cross-sectional view showing a sealing device according to an embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0024] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention are described with reference to the accompanying drawings. The following detailed description and the accompanying drawings are used to exemplarily illustrate the principles of the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to the preferred embodiments described. The scope of the present invention is defined by the claims. The present invention is now described in detail with reference to exemplary embodiments, and some embodiments are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. The following description is made with reference to the accompanying drawings, and unless otherwise indicated, the same reference numerals in different drawings represent the same or similar elements. The schemes described in the following exemplary embodiments do not represent all schemes of the present invention. On the contrary, these schemes are merely examples of systems and methods of various aspects of the present invention involved in the appended claims.

[0025] The present invention provides a sealing device. Below, exemplary embodiments of the present invention are described with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be understood that the accompanying drawings only show certain embodiments of the present invention, and the scope of the present invention should be determined according to the claims.

[0026] Figure 3 A partial cross-sectional schematic diagram of a bearing according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown. Figure 4 A schematic cross-sectional view of a sealing device according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown. Figure 5 An isometric cross-sectional view of a sealing device according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown. In an exemplary embodiment, the sealing device of the present invention can be applied to a bearing, in particular, a bearing for a steering column of a motorcycle. In other embodiments, the sealing device of the present invention can also be applied between a first rotating component and a second rotating component that can rotate relative to each other around a rotation axis.

[0027] like Figure 3 As shown, the bearing according to some embodiments of the present invention includes a sealing device 100, an inner ring 200, and an outer ring 300. It should be understood that the bearing may further include rolling elements not shown in the figure. The inner ring 200 and the outer ring 300 are annular components coaxially arranged around the rotation axis of the bearing, wherein the outer ring 300 is located radially outside the inner ring 200. The inner ring 200 and the outer ring 300 can rotate relative to each other around the rotation axis by rolling of the rolling elements arranged therebetween.

[0028] In an exemplary embodiment, the outer ring 300 is a stationary ring and the inner ring 200 is a dynamic ring. Figure 3 As shown, the bearing further comprises a bearing seat 400, and the outer ring 300 is fixed to the bearing seat 400. In this embodiment, the inner ring 200 serves as a first rotating component, and the outer ring 300 and the bearing seat 400 serve together as a second rotating component.

[0029] In some embodiments, the outer ring 300 is a moving ring, and the inner ring 200 is a stationary ring. In some embodiments, the bearing may further include a support shaft, and the inner ring 200 is fixed to the support shaft. In this case, the outer ring 300 serves as a first rotating component, and the inner ring 200 and the support shaft serve together as a second rotating component.

[0030] In an exemplary embodiment, if Figure 3 As shown, the sealing device 100 is installed at the axial end of the bearing, thereby separating the interior of the bearing from the external space. The sealing device 100 has an axial inner side and an axial outer side. In this article, "axial inner side" means the side that will be enclosed in the sealed space by the sealing device, and "axial outer side" means the opposite side exposed to the external space. In addition, the sealing device also has a rotation axis. When the sealing device is installed in the bearing, the rotation axis of the sealing device coincides with the rotation axis of the bearing.

[0031] According to an embodiment of the present invention, Figure 4 and Figure 5 As shown, the sealing device 100 includes a frame 110, a sealing ring 120 and a friction reducing patch 130. The sealing device 100 is annular in shape as a whole. It should be understood that Figure 5Only a part of the sealing device 100 is shown in FIG. The skeleton 110, the sealing ring 120 and the anti-friction patch 130 are arranged concentrically along the rotation axis. The skeleton 110 is used to be fixed to the inner ring 200 of the bearing, such as Figure 3 The sealing ring 120 is connected to the frame 110, as shown. Figure 4 In some embodiments, the frame 110 is made of a hard material such as metal. In some embodiments, the sealing ring 120 is made of an elastic material such as rubber.

[0032] In an exemplary embodiment, if Figure 4 As shown, the sealing ring 120 includes a connecting portion 120A, an elastic portion 120B and a waist portion 120C. The connecting portion 120A is fixed to the frame 110. The elastic portion 120B is connected to the connecting portion 120A through the waist portion 120C. The elastic portion 120B extends from the waist portion 120C in a direction away from the connecting portion 120A.

[0033] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the sealing ring 120 includes an axial sealing lip 121 and a radial sealing lip 122. In an exemplary embodiment, the elastic portion 120B includes the axial sealing lip 121 and the radial sealing lip 122. In the sealing ring 120, the axial sealing lip 121 and the radial sealing lip 122 located in the elastic portion 120B both extend from the waist portion 120C in a direction away from the connecting portion 120A. More specifically, the axial sealing lip 121 and the radial sealing lip 122 extend from the waist portion 120C in directions away from each other.

[0034] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the anti-friction patch 130 is connected to the sealing ring 120. In some embodiments, the anti-friction patch 130 has an integral annular structure. In an exemplary embodiment, the anti-friction patch 130 is arranged on the side of the sealing ring 120 facing the outer ring 300 and the bearing seat 400, that is, the side of the sealing ring 120 away from the skeleton 110. In an exemplary embodiment, the anti-friction patch 130 can be arranged on the sealing ring 120 by a vulcanization process. When the sealing device is installed between the inner ring 200, the outer ring 300 and the bearing seat 400, the elastic portion 120B of the sealing ring 120 and the anti-friction patch 130 can be elastically deformed, so that the anti-friction patch 130 can form an interference fit with the outer ring 300 and the bearing seat 400, respectively.

[0035] In an exemplary embodiment, the friction-reducing patch 130 includes an axial patch portion 131 and a radial patch portion 132. The axial patch portion 131 is connected to the axial sealing lip 121, and the radial patch portion 132 is connected to the radial sealing lip 122. In an exemplary embodiment, when the sealing device 100 is installed in the bearing, the axial sealing lip 121 and the axial patch portion 131 can be elastically deformed, so that the axial patch portion 131 is in sealing contact with the outer ring 300 in the axial direction; and the radial sealing lip 122 and the radial patch portion 132 can be elastically deformed, so that the radial patch portion 132 is in sealing contact with the bearing seat 400 in the radial direction.

[0036] In an exemplary embodiment, the axial patch portion 131 and the radial patch portion 132 of the anti-friction patch 130 are integrally formed. More specifically, the axial patch portion 131 and the radial patch portion 132 form a complete single patch portion. This can facilitate the connection of the anti-friction patch 130 to the sealing ring 120, thereby helping to simplify the process and reduce costs. In this case, as shown in FIG. Figure 3 As shown, when the sealing device 100 is installed in the bearing, the anti-friction patch 130 forms a curved surface on the side facing the outer ring 300 and the bearing seat 400 when viewed along the axial cross section.

[0037] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the friction coefficient of the anti-friction patch 130 is less than the friction coefficient of the sealing ring 120. In an exemplary embodiment, the anti-friction patch 130 is made of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE). Polytetrafluoroethylene has a low friction coefficient and also has a lubricating effect. As a result, it is not easy to generate a wave structure between the sealing device and the outer ring 300 and the bearing seat 400 of the bearing. Thus, even if the rotation direction of the bearing changes suddenly, the pollutants located on the outside of the bearing will not be pushed into the bearing due to the negative pressure generated by the wave structure, and the lubricant located on the inside of the bearing will not be pushed out to the outside of the bearing. Therefore, the sealing performance of the sealing device can be improved. In addition, polytetrafluoroethylene also has a high wear resistance, thereby reducing the wear of the sealing device and extending the service life of the sealing device.

[0038] In some embodiments, the length of the axial sealing lip 121 and the radial sealing lip 122 (i.e., the lengths respectively extending from the waist 120C) is greater than the thickness of the elastic portion 120B (i.e., the distance from the waist 120C to the anti-friction patch 130). Thus, the axial sealing lip 121 and the radial sealing lip 122 can have a long and thin shape, so as to have a wider mating surface with the outer ring 300 and the bearing seat 400, respectively. This helps to further improve the sealing effect.

[0039] In some embodiments, the thickness of the anti-friction patch 130 is less than the thickness of the elastic portion 120B. Thus, the anti-friction patch 130 can be very thin and easily deformed, which can enable the sealing device to have good elasticity while reducing friction.

[0040] The sealing device according to some embodiments of the present invention is described above as being applied to a bearing. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. In other embodiments, the sealing device of the present invention may also be applied to other mechanical devices including a first rotating component and a second rotating component that can rotate relative to each other around a rotation axis.

[0041] The above description shows that the axial patch portion 131 and the radial patch portion 132 of the anti-friction patch 130 are formed integrally. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. In other embodiments, the axial patch portion 131 and the radial patch portion 132 may be formed separately and constitute two independent patch portions.

[0042] Although the present invention has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments, it should be understood that the present invention is not limited to the configuration and method of the above-described embodiments. On the contrary, the present invention is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent configurations. In addition, although the various elements and method steps of the disclosed invention are shown in various exemplary combinations and configurations, other combinations including more or less elements or methods also fall within the scope of the present invention.

[0043] Reference numerals list

[0044] 10. Sealing device;

[0045] 20 inner circle;

[0046] 30 outer ring;

[0047] 40 bearing seat;

[0048] 100 Sealing device;

[0049] 110 skeleton;

[0050] 120 sealing ring;

[0051] 120A connection;

[0052] 120B elastic part;

[0053] 120C waist;

[0054] 121 axial sealing lip;

[0055] 122 radial sealing lip;

[0056] 130 Anti-friction patch;

[0057] 131 axial patch section;

[0058] 132 radial patch section;

[0059] 200 inner circle;

[0060] 300 outer ring;

[0061] 400 Bearing seat.

Claims

1. A sealing device (100) for performing dynamic sealing between a first rotating component and a second rotating component capable of relatively rotating around a rotation axis, the sealing device (100) comprising: A frame (110) for fixing to the first rotating component; A sealing ring (120) fixed to the frame (110) and comprising an axial sealing lip (121) and a radial sealing lip (122); and The friction reducing patch (130) has an overall annular structure and comprises an axial patch portion (131) connected to the axial sealing lip (121) and a radial patch portion (132) connected to the radial sealing lip (122). Wherein, when the sealing device (100) is installed between the first rotating component and the second rotating component, the axial patch portion (131) is used to seal and contact with the second rotating component along the axial direction, and the radial patch portion (132) is used to seal and contact with the second rotating component along the radial direction, and Wherein, the friction coefficient of the anti-friction patch (130) is smaller than the friction coefficient of the sealing ring (120).

2. The sealing device (100) according to claim 1, wherein: The axial patch portion (131) and the radial patch portion (132) of the friction-reducing patch (130) are integrally formed.

3. The sealing device (100) according to claim 2, wherein: The friction-reducing patch (130) is made of polytetrafluoroethylene.

4. The sealing device (100) according to claim 3, wherein: The friction-reducing patch (130) is arranged on the sealing ring (120) through a vulcanization process.

5. The sealing device (100) according to claim 4, wherein: The sealing ring (120) comprises a connecting portion (120A) and an elastic portion (120B), wherein the connecting portion (120A) is used to be fixed to the frame (110), the elastic portion (120B) comprises the axial sealing lip (121) and the radial sealing lip (122), and the friction reducing patch (130) is connected to a side of the elastic portion (120B) away from the frame (110). Wherein, when the sealing device (100) is installed between the first rotating component and the second rotating component, the elastic portion (120B) and the anti-friction patch (130) can be elastically deformed to form an interference fit with the second rotating component.

6. The sealing device (100) according to claim 5, wherein: The sealing ring (120) further includes a waist (120C), and the connecting portion (120A) and the elastic portion (120B) are configured to be connected via the waist (120C), so that the axial sealing lip (121) and the radial sealing lip (122) both extend from the waist (120C) in a direction away from the connecting portion (120A).

7. The sealing device (100) according to claim 6, wherein: The axial sealing lip (121) and the radial sealing lip (122) are configured to extend from the waist portion (120C) in directions away from each other.

8. The sealing device (100) according to claim 7, wherein: The sealing ring (120) is made of rubber.

9. A bearing comprising the sealing device (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

10. The bearing according to claim 9, further comprising an inner ring (200), an outer ring (300) and a bearing seat (400), wherein: The friction-reducing patch (130) of the sealing device (100) is arranged to be in sealing contact with the outer ring (300) in the axial direction and in sealing contact with the bearing seat (400) in the radial direction.

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