Pneumatic hub bearing with floating self-adapting seal

Abstract

The application discloses a pneumatic hub bearing with a floating self-adaptive seal, comprising an outer flange, an inner ring assembly, double-row rolling bodies and a retainer, the outer flange is connected with a steering knuckle, the inner ring assembly is connected with a wheel hub, the rolling bodies are located between the two and are fixed by the retainer. The inner ring assembly and the outer flange are respectively sleeved with a dynamic seal ring and a static seal ring, and the end face dynamic seal is connected; the dynamic seal ring is connected with a wheel hub interface assembly, the static seal ring is connected with an air inlet pipe assembly, a gas cavity is arranged between the two and is in communication with each other, and the dynamic seal ring is pushed to move towards the static seal ring when being inflated. The self-adaptive seal is realized by the gas cavity inflation driving, the problem that the sealing performance is reduced due to vibration wear in the traditional seal is solved, the sealing reliability and service life are improved, and the application has the advantages of compact structure and rapid response.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of vehicle wheel hub bearing technology, and more specifically to an inflatable wheel hub bearing with a floating adaptive seal. Background Technology

[0002] Existing pneumatic wheel hub bearings mostly employ constant-force pre-tightening rotary seal structures for their air circuit seals. These seals have a fixed sealing force, which presents several key drawbacks: 1. When the air pressure increases, the sealing force cannot adaptively increase, easily leading to gas leakage due to pressure surges; 2. The contact force of traditional seal structures is unrelated to air pressure, resulting in insufficient sealing reliability under high-pressure conditions and difficulty in meeting the variable operating requirements of pneumatic wheel hub bearings, which require "low-pressure inflation - high-pressure maintenance"; 3. Some seal structures are rigid contacts, making them prone to gaps when air pressure fluctuates, affecting the stability of the air circuit system.

[0003] For example, the prior art includes a publication number CN20443157U entitled "A Hub Bearing Unit Applicable to a Tire Central Inflation / Deflation System," which discloses a sealed air passage provided through a cavity. The main air pressure resistance is borne by the rigid structure of the first and second sealing rings, thus obviously having the aforementioned problems. Summary of the Invention

[0004] To address the shortcomings of existing technologies, the present invention aims to provide an inflatable wheel hub bearing with a floating adaptive seal. This bearing achieves adaptive sealing by inflating the air chamber to drive the dynamic sealing ring, thus solving the problems of fixed sealing force and insufficient reliability under high-pressure conditions in traditional sealing structures.

[0005] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention provides the following technical solution: a pneumatic wheel hub bearing with a floating adaptive seal, comprising an outer flange, an inner ring assembly, double-row rolling elements, and a cage. The outer flange is connected to the vehicle steering knuckle, the inner ring assembly is connected to the wheel hub, the double-row rolling elements are located between the outer flange and the inner ring assembly, the cage is fitted onto the double-row rolling elements, a dynamic sealing ring is coaxially fitted on the inner ring assembly, and a static sealing ring is coaxially fitted on the outer flange. The end faces of the dynamic sealing ring and the static sealing ring are arranged opposite each other and are dynamically sealed together. The dynamic sealing ring is connected to a wheel hub interface assembly, and the static sealing ring is connected to an air intake pipe assembly. An air chamber is provided between the dynamic sealing ring and the outer flange. The air intake pipe assembly, the air chamber, and the wheel hub interface assembly are interconnected. When the air chamber is filled with high-pressure gas, it pushes the dynamic sealing ring toward the static sealing ring.

[0006] As a further improvement of the present invention, a sealing flange is provided on the end face of the dynamic sealing ring facing the static sealing ring, and a sealing ring sleeve is coaxially fixed on the end face of the static sealing ring facing the dynamic sealing ring. The sealing flange extends into the sealing ring sleeve, and a sealing lip is provided on the end face of the sealing ring sleeve, which abuts against the side wall of the sealing flange to seal.

[0007] As a further improvement of the present invention, the inner and outer ring edges of the dynamic sealing ring facing the static sealing ring are provided with extension walls, and a receiving groove for receiving the sealing lip is formed between the extension wall and the sealing protrusion.

[0008] As a further improvement of the present invention, a dynamic sealing ring cover is coaxially fixed to one end of the dynamic sealing ring facing away from the static sealing ring. The dynamic sealing ring cover is fixedly installed on the inner ring assembly, and the hub interface assembly is installed on the dynamic sealing ring cover. An air hole communicating with the air intake pipe assembly and the hub interface assembly is opened in the dynamic sealing ring cover. An annular gap is left between the end face of the dynamic sealing ring cover and the end face of the dynamic sealing ring. An axially expandable floating sealing ring is fitted on the annular gap. The annular gap and the inner ring wall of the floating sealing ring form an air cavity.

[0009] As a further improvement of the present invention, the floating sealing ring is integrally formed from a cover connecting part, a telescopic part and a ring connecting part. The cover connecting part is fitted onto the dynamic sealing ring cover, the ring connecting part is fitted onto the dynamic sealing ring, the telescopic part is located between the cover connecting part and the ring connecting part, and the circumferential cross-section of the telescopic part is U-shaped. The cover connecting part and the ring connecting part are respectively connected to the two ends of the U-shape so as to realize the telescopic movement of the floating sealing ring through the deformation of the U-shape.

[0010] As a further improvement of the present invention, the hub interface assembly is a one-way valve structure, including a cylindrical valve body and a valve core that can be slidably disposed in the cylindrical valve body. The cylindrical valve body is hollow and has an air passage that runs axially through the valve body. A stepped structure for abutting the valve core is formed in the air passage. A valve seat is sealed and fixed in the air passage. The valve core and the valve seat are connected by a spring. When the valve core abuts against the stepped surface of the air passage, the air passage is blocked by the valve core.

[0011] As a further improvement of the present invention, the end of the cylindrical valve body facing away from the dynamic sealing ring is provided with a claw, a pressure sleeve and a bottom sleeve. The bottom sleeve is fixed on the end of the cylindrical valve body, the claw is fixed on the inner side wall of the bottom sleeve, and the pressure sleeve is slidably inserted into the bottom sleeve. The pressure sleeve has a channel. After the external pipe passes through the channel of the pressure sleeve, it enters the claw and is locked by the claw.

[0012] As a further improvement of the present invention, the chuck includes a chuck base and several chuck pieces. The chuck base is fixed inside the bottom sleeve, and the several chuck pieces are circumferentially distributed on one end of the chuck base. The several chuck pieces are inclined toward the center of the chuck base, and a conical surface is provided inside the chuck base to support the chuck pieces when the pressure sleeve slides and pushes them open.

[0013] As a further improvement of the present invention, the dynamic sealing ring and the static sealing ring are spaced apart from each other, forming a sealed cavity between them. The static sealing ring is provided with two joints, and the air intake pipe assembly is provided with two joints, which are connected to the two joints respectively.

[0014] This invention achieves adaptive sealing by inflating a gas chamber to drive a dynamic sealing ring. When the gas pressure inside the chamber increases, the dynamic sealing ring moves towards the static sealing ring under the pressure, causing the sealing contact force to increase synchronously with the gas pressure. This solves the problem of high-pressure leakage caused by the fixed sealing force in traditional sealing structures. The U-shaped telescopic structure of the floating sealing ring allows for simple and effective telescopic functionality, adapting to the variable operating conditions of inflatable wheel hub bearings, from low-pressure inflation to high-pressure holding. The nested structure of the sealing flange and the sealing ring sleeve, along with the limiting effect of the receiving groove on the sealing lip, further enhances sealing stability. The one-way valve structure of the wheel hub interface assembly prevents gas backflow, and the cooperation between the claws and the pressure sleeve enables rapid pipe connection. The overall structure is compact, responsive, and significantly improves the sealing reliability and service life of the wheel hub bearing. Attached Figure Description

[0015] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the pneumatic hub bearing with floating adaptive seal of the present invention; Figure 2 This is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of the pneumatic hub bearing with floating adaptive seal of the present invention. Figure 3 for Figure 2 A schematic diagram of the floating seal ring. Detailed Implementation

[0016] The present invention will now be described in further detail with reference to the embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings.

[0017] Reference Figure 1 , Figure 2 As shown, the pneumatic wheel hub bearing with floating adaptive seal in this embodiment includes an outer flange 1, an inner ring assembly 2, double-row rolling elements 3, and a cage 4. The outer flange 1 is connected to the vehicle steering knuckle, the inner ring assembly 2 is connected to the wheel hub, the double-row rolling elements 3 are located between the outer flange 1 and the inner ring assembly 2, the cage 4 is sleeved on the double-row rolling elements 3, a dynamic sealing ring 5 is coaxially sleeved on the inner ring assembly 2, and a static sealing ring 6 is coaxially sleeved on the outer flange 1. The end faces of the dynamic sealing ring 5 and the static sealing ring 6 are arranged opposite each other and the two end faces are dynamically sealed together. The dynamic sealing ring 5 is connected to a wheel hub interface assembly, and the static sealing ring 6 is connected to an air intake pipe assembly. An air chamber 51 is provided between the dynamic sealing ring 5 and the outer flange 1. The air intake pipe assembly, the air chamber 51, and the wheel hub interface assembly are interconnected. During operation, high-pressure gas enters the air chamber 51 through the air inlet pipe assembly. The increased air pressure in the air chamber 51 pushes the dynamic sealing ring 5 to move towards the static sealing ring 6, causing the end face contact pressure between the dynamic sealing ring 5 and the static sealing ring 6 to increase synchronously with the air pressure. This solves the problem that traditional sealing structures cannot adapt to high-pressure working conditions due to fixed sealing force, and achieves adaptive adjustment of sealing force, thereby improving the stability of the air circuit system.

[0018] Reference Figure 2 , Figure 3As shown, further, a sealing flange 52 is provided on the end face of the dynamic sealing ring 5 facing the static sealing ring 6, and a sealing ring sleeve 61 is coaxially fixed on the end face of the static sealing ring 6 facing the dynamic sealing ring 5. The sealing flange 52 extends into the sealing ring sleeve 61, and a sealing lip is provided on the end face of the sealing ring sleeve 61. The sealing lip abuts against the side wall of the sealing flange 52 to seal. This structure increases the sealing contact area through the nested fit between the sealing flange 52 and the sealing ring sleeve 61. The elastic deformation of the sealing lip can compensate for assembly errors and help improve sealing reliability.

[0019] Reference Figure 3 As shown, furthermore, the inner and outer ring edges of the dynamic sealing ring 5 facing the static sealing ring 6 are provided with extension walls 53, and a receiving groove for accommodating the sealing lip is formed between the extension wall 53 and the sealing flange 52. The receiving groove provides a certain degree of coverage and protection for the sealing lip, reducing the entry of foreign objects between the sealing lip and the sealing flange 52, and ensuring that the sealing lip is always in effective contact with the side wall of the sealing flange 52.

[0020] Reference Figure 2 As shown, furthermore, a dynamic sealing ring cover 54 is coaxially fixed to one end of the dynamic sealing ring 5 facing away from the static sealing ring 6. The dynamic sealing ring cover 54 is fixedly installed on the inner ring assembly 2, and the hub interface assembly is installed on the dynamic sealing ring cover 54. An air hole communicating with the intake pipe assembly and the hub interface assembly is opened inside the dynamic sealing ring cover 54. An annular gap is left between the end face of the dynamic sealing ring cover 54 and the end face of the dynamic sealing ring 5. An axially expandable floating sealing ring 55 is fitted onto this annular gap. The annular gap and the inner wall of the floating sealing ring 55 form an air cavity 51. The cooperation between the dynamic sealing ring cover 54 and the floating sealing ring 55 forms a closed air cavity. The expansion and contraction characteristics of the floating sealing ring 55 can absorb the axial displacement of the dynamic sealing ring 5, assisting in the axial displacement of the dynamic sealing ring 5.

[0021] Reference Figure 3 As shown, the floating sealing ring 55 is further integrally formed from a cover connecting part 551, a telescopic part 552, and a ring connecting part 553. The cover connecting part 551 is fitted onto the dynamic sealing ring cover 54, and the ring connecting part 553 is fitted onto the dynamic sealing ring 5. The telescopic part 552 is located between the cover connecting part 551 and the ring connecting part 553, and the circumferential cross-section of the telescopic part 552 is U-shaped. The cover connecting part 551 and the ring connecting part 553 are respectively connected to the two ends of the U-shape, so that the telescopic part of the floating sealing ring 55 can be expanded and contracted through the deformation of the U-shape. The U-shaped telescopic part has good elastic recovery ability, which can provide stable buffering force when the dynamic sealing ring 5 moves, ensuring stable air chamber pressure, and simplifying the assembly process of the sealing structure.

[0022] Reference Figure 2As shown, another aspect of the present invention provides an inflatable hub bearing with a floating adaptive seal. The hub interface assembly is a one-way valve structure, including a cylindrical valve body 7 and a valve core 8 slidably disposed within the cylindrical valve body 7. The cylindrical valve body 7 is hollow, with an axially penetrating air passage formed inside. A stepped structure is formed within the air passage to abut against the valve core 8. A valve seat 9 is sealed and fixed within the air passage. The valve core 8 and the valve seat 9 are connected by a spring. When the valve core 8 abuts against the stepped surface of the air passage, the air passage is blocked by the valve core 8. The one-way valve structure can prevent the backflow of high-pressure gas in the air chamber, ensuring the pressure holding performance of the air circuit system. The spring-driven valve core 8 enables the valve core 8 to effectively block the air passage.

[0023] Reference Figure 2 As shown, further, the end of the cylindrical valve body 7 facing away from the dynamic sealing ring 5 is provided with a claw 71, a pressure sleeve 72, and a bottom sleeve 73. The bottom sleeve 73 is fixed to the end of the cylindrical valve body 7, and the claw 71 is fixed to the inner wall of the bottom sleeve 73. The pressure sleeve 72 is slidably inserted into the bottom sleeve 73. The pressure sleeve 72 has a channel. After the external pipe passes through the channel of the pressure sleeve 72, it enters the claw 71 and is locked by the claw 71. The cooperation between the claw 71 and the pressure sleeve 72 enables quick installation and removal of the external pipe. The sliding of the pressure sleeve 72 can release the claw 71, facilitating pipe replacement and improving maintenance convenience.

[0024] Reference Figure 2 As shown, the clamping jaw 71 further includes a jaw seat 711 and several jaw pieces 712. The jaw seat 711 is fixed inside the base sleeve 73. The several jaw pieces 712 are circumferentially distributed on one end of the jaw seat 711, and the several jaw pieces 712 are inclined towards the center of the jaw seat 711. A conical surface is formed inside the jaw seat 711 to support the jaw pieces 712 when the pressure sleeve 72 slides and pushes them open. The conical surface provides radial support for the jaw pieces 712, ensuring that the jaw pieces 712 do not undergo excessive deformation when pushed open by the pressure sleeve 72, which could lead to a situation where the pipe cannot be clamped subsequently.

[0025] Reference Figure 2 As shown, the dynamic sealing ring 5 and the static sealing ring 6 are spaced apart from each other, forming a sealed cavity. The static sealing ring 6 has two connectors, and the air intake pipe assembly has two connectors, which are connected to the two connectors respectively. The dual-connector design can realize air path redundancy. When one air intake pipe assembly fails, the other can continue to work, improving the system's safety and fault tolerance. At the same time, it can also realize dual-path synchronous inflation.

[0026] In summary, this invention employs a floating adaptive sealing scheme where the air chamber 51 inflates to drive the dynamic sealing ring 5. By adjusting the pressure of the air chamber 51 in conjunction with the sealing contact force, it solves the problems of fixed sealing force, high-pressure leakage, and poor vibration resistance in traditional sealing structures, achieving reliable sealing of the pneumatic wheel hub bearing under varying operating conditions. Furthermore, the nested structure of the sealing flange 52 and the ring sleeve, the U-shaped floating sealing ring 55, and the one-way valve interface further enhance sealing stability, ease of assembly and maintenance, and system safety, significantly extending the service life of the wheel hub bearing.

[0027] The above description is merely a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The scope of protection of the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments. All technical solutions falling within the scope of the present invention's concept are within the scope of protection of the present invention. It should be noted that for those skilled in the art, any improvements and modifications made without departing from the principles of the present invention should also be considered within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A pneumatic wheel hub bearing with a floating adaptive seal, comprising an outer flange (1), an inner ring assembly (2), double-row rolling elements (3), and a cage (4), wherein the outer flange (1) is connected to a vehicle steering knuckle, the inner ring assembly (2) is connected to a wheel hub, the double-row rolling elements (3) are located between the outer flange (1) and the inner ring assembly (2), and the cage (4) is fitted onto the double-row rolling elements (3), characterized in that: A dynamic sealing ring (5) is coaxially fitted on the inner ring assembly (2), and a static sealing ring (6) is coaxially fitted on the outer flange (1). The end faces of the dynamic sealing ring (5) and the static sealing ring (6) are arranged opposite to each other, and the two end faces are dynamically sealed together. The dynamic sealing ring (5) is connected to a hub interface assembly, and the static sealing ring (6) is connected to an air intake pipe assembly. An air chamber (51) is provided between the dynamic sealing ring (5) and the outer flange (1). The air intake pipe assembly, the air chamber (51) and the hub interface assembly are interconnected. When the air chamber (51) is filled with high-pressure gas, it pushes the dynamic sealing ring (5) to move toward the static sealing ring (6).

2. The pneumatic hub bearing with floating adaptive seal according to claim 1, characterized in that: The dynamic sealing ring (5) has a sealing flange (52) on one end face facing the static sealing ring (6). A sealing ring sleeve (61) is coaxially fixed on one end face facing the dynamic sealing ring (5). The sealing flange (52) extends into the sealing ring sleeve (61). The end face of the sealing ring sleeve (61) has a sealing lip, which abuts against the side wall of the sealing flange (52) to seal.

3. The pneumatic hub bearing with floating adaptive seal according to claim 2, characterized in that: The dynamic sealing ring (5) has an extension wall (53) on both the inner and outer ring sides facing the static sealing ring (6), and a receiving groove for accommodating the sealing lip is formed between the extension wall (53) and the sealing protrusion (52).

4. The pneumatic hub bearing with floating adaptive seal according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: The dynamic sealing ring (5) is coaxially fixed with a dynamic sealing ring cover (54) at one end facing away from the static sealing ring (6). The dynamic sealing ring cover (54) is fixedly installed on the inner ring assembly (2). The hub interface assembly is installed on the dynamic sealing ring cover (54). The dynamic sealing ring cover (54) has an air hole that communicates with the air intake pipe assembly and the hub interface assembly. There is an annular gap between the end face of the dynamic sealing ring cover (54) and the end face of the dynamic sealing ring (5). An axially expandable floating sealing ring (55) is fitted on the annular gap. The annular gap and the inner ring wall of the floating sealing ring (55) form an air cavity (51).

5. The pneumatic hub bearing with floating adaptive seal according to claim 4, characterized in that: The floating sealing ring (55) is integrally formed by a cover connecting part (551), a telescopic part (552) and a ring connecting part (553). The cover connecting part (551) is fitted on the dynamic sealing ring cover (54), and the ring connecting part (553) is fitted on the dynamic sealing ring (5). The telescopic part (552) is located between the cover connecting part (551) and the ring connecting part (553), and the circumferential cross-section of the telescopic part (552) is U-shaped. The cover connecting part (551) and the ring connecting part (553) are respectively connected to the two ends of the U-shape so as to realize the telescopic movement of the floating sealing ring (55) through the deformation of the U-shape.

6. The pneumatic hub bearing with floating adaptive seal according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: The hub interface assembly is a one-way valve structure, including a cylindrical valve body (7) and a valve core (8) that can be slidably disposed in the cylindrical valve body (7). The cylindrical valve body (7) is hollow and has an air passage that runs through it axially. A stepped structure for abutting the valve core (8) is formed in the air passage. A valve seat (9) is sealed and fixed in the air passage. The valve core (8) and the valve seat (9) are connected by a spring. When the valve core (8) abuts against the stepped surface of the air passage, the air passage is blocked by the valve core (8).

7. The pneumatic hub bearing with floating adaptive seal according to claim 6, characterized in that: The cylindrical valve body (7) is provided with a claw (71), a pressure sleeve (72), and a bottom sleeve (73) at one end facing away from the dynamic sealing ring (5). The bottom sleeve (73) is fixed on the end of the cylindrical valve body (7), and the claw (71) is fixed on the inner wall of the bottom sleeve (73). The pressure sleeve (72) is slidably inserted into the bottom sleeve (73). A channel is opened in the pressure sleeve (72). After the external pipe passes through the channel of the pressure sleeve (72), it enters the claw (71) and is locked by the claw (71).

8. The pneumatic hub bearing with floating adaptive seal according to claim 7, characterized in that: The claw (71) includes a claw base (711) and several claw pieces (712). The claw base (711) is fixed inside the base sleeve (73). Several claw pieces (712) are circumferentially distributed on one end of the claw base (711). Several claw pieces (712) are inclined toward the center of the claw base (711). A conical surface is provided inside the claw base (711) to support the claw pieces (712) when the pressure sleeve (72) slides and pushes the claw pieces (712) open.

9. The pneumatic hub bearing with floating adaptive seal according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: The dynamic sealing ring (5) and the static sealing ring (6) are spaced apart from each other, forming a sealed cavity between them. The static sealing ring (6) is provided with two connectors, and the air intake pipe assembly is provided with two connectors, which are connected to the two connectors respectively.

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