Integrated protection assembly for a sealing ring and associated sealing system

Abstract

An integrated protection assembly (1) for a sealing ring (2) and an associated sealing system (35) for a vehicle transmission assembly (3) comprises: a plug (4) that can be inserted inside the sealing ring; and an annular element (5) for protecting the sealing ring during insertion of a rotary shaft (6); wherein the annular element (5) comprises a flange-shaped end (7) and a tubular sidewall (8), the tubular sidewall (8) being in direct engagement contact with the sealing ring (2) and receiving the rotary shaft inside the tubular sidewall (8); the first end (7) is provided with a handle (11), the plug (4) is detachably engaged with the annular element (5), and the tubular sidewall is provided with a first weakened zone (15) formed longitudinally beside a second weakened zone (16) formed radially at the first end to break under the action of a pulling force manually applied to the handle.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an integrated component including a protective plug and an assembly device, the protective plug and the assembly device being intended to protect a sealing ring (in particular an oil sealing ring for a vehicle transmission component) during the assembly of a shaft inside the sealing ring, and to close a through-opening for the shaft and hold the shaft inside the sealing ring before the shaft is assembled, so as to prevent external contaminants from entering the transmission component through the opening. Background Art

[0002] As is well known, in a kinematic transmission (transmission) component of a vehicle, particularly in the case of a differential device, during the assembly of the vehicle transmission, a rotating shaft must be inserted through an opening provided with a sealing ring in the transmission component, and at the time of assembly, the sealing ring is engaged with the shaft to prevent oil or grease from escaping from the component and any external contaminants from entering the interior of the component.

[0003] However, before the shaft is assembled, some contaminants may enter the component. To avoid this risk, the through-opening already provided with the sealing ring is closed by a plug. However, when the assembly is carried out after the plug is removed, both the plug and particularly the shaft (usually a splined shaft) may cause damage or deformation of the lip or sealing lip of the sealing ring, resulting in the escape of oil or grease. This typically occurs in the case of the shaft output seal of a vehicle differential.

[0004] It is known that, in addition to a protective cover for preventing contaminants from entering during transportation and movement towards the assembly line (e.g., preventing contaminants from entering the interior of a vehicle gearbox), a PTFE ring for guiding a drive shaft is also used, which is mounted on the inner diameter of the sealing ring, but this does not protect the main sealing lip of the seal from any damage.

[0005] Furthermore, the assembly of two (or more) separate components, in addition to being costly, results in an excessive volume and assembly difficulties, and is even usually infeasible due to design constraints. Summary of the Invention

[0006] The object of the present invention is to provide an integrated protection component and an associated sealing system that are intended to protect a sealing ring, in particular an oil sealing ring for a vehicle transmission component, that do not have the disadvantages of the prior art, are reliable and have low production and assembly costs, and that effectively protect the sealing ring from any damage on the one hand and prevent any contaminants from entering the transmission component on the other hand.

[0007] Thus, based on the present invention, there is provided an integrated protection component for protecting a sealing ring and an associated sealing system having the features set forth in the appended claims, said sealing ring being in particular an oil sealing ring for a vehicle transmission component. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] The present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, which show non-limiting examples of embodiments of the invention, in which:

[0009] Figure 1 A top view of an integrated protection component according to the present invention is shown in schematic form;

[0010] Figure 2 A front view taken along plane II-II of the integrated component according to Figure 1 is shown in schematic form;

[0011] Figure 3 and Figure 4 Respective three-quarter perspective views from above of two different parts of the integrated component according to the present invention are shown in schematic form;

[0012] Figure 5 A front view taken along the plane indicated by V-V of the integrated component of the present invention in the case where its parts are mounted to each other is shown in schematic form; and

[0013] Figure 6a and Figure 6b and Figure 6c Three successive steps of using the integrated component according to the present invention together with an associated sealing system on a vehicle transmission component and removing the integrated component according to the present invention from the vehicle transmission component are shown in schematic form. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0014] Referring to Figures 1 to 5 , in Figures 1 to 5 , 1 generally represents an integrated protection component for a sealing ring 2 ( Figures 6a - 6c ), which in the non-limiting but preferred example of the illustrated embodiment is constituted by an oil sealing ring for a vehicle transmission component 3 (e.g., a differential).

[0015] The integrated component 1 includes: a plug 4, configured to be inserted inside the sealing ring 2 ( Figure 6a ); and an annular element 5, constituted by a protective cover configured to protect the sealing ring 2 during insertion of a shaft 6 (usually a splined shaft) that rotates during use through the sealing ring 2.

[0016] The annular element 5 (see Figures 1 - 3)comprising a first flange-shaped end 7 and a tubular sidewall 8 which extends axially projecting from the first end 7 and is configured to engage in direct contact with the sealing ring 2 with its outer radial surface 9 during use and to internally receive the rotating shaft 6 along its inner radial surface 10( Figure 6b ).

[0017] According to one aspect of the invention, the first flange-shaped end 7 is provided with at least one handle 11 which is radially outside and projects radially on the first flange-shaped end 7 and is configured to engage axially against the sealing ring 2 during use( Figure 6a ).

[0018] Furthermore, the plug 4 and the first flange-shaped end 7 are configured to be detachably joined together by a snap-engaging or bayonet joint, and the plug 4 is arranged inside the annular element 5 and the plug 4 can be inserted into the annular element 5 via the first flange-shaped end 7.

[0019] In a preferred example of the illustrated embodiment, the joint between the plug 4 and the flange end 7 is a bayonet type, achieved by a circumferential recess 12 which is formed by the outer radial edge 13 of the flange end 7( Figure 3 ), and the circumferential recess 12 engages with the corresponding L-shaped teeth 14 of the plug 4( Figure 4 ), which will be described in more detail below.

[0020] According to a key aspect of the invention, the tubular sidewall 8 is provided with a first weakened zone 15 over its entire axial length (i.e., measured parallel to the axis of symmetry A of the shaft 6), and the first weakened zone 15 is longitudinally formed beside a second weakened zone 16, however, the second weakened zone 16 is formed radially on / in the first flange-shaped end 7.

[0021] These weakened zones 15 and 16 are configured to separate / break under the tensile force manually applied on the handle 11 so as to be able to circumferentially open the annular element 5 at any time during use( Figure 6c ).

[0022] The annular element 5 is actually made of a synthetic plastic material as an integral one piece.

[0023] In the case where the annular element or cover 5 has been obtained by pressing as a single piece but in an open configuration, the first weakened zone 15 is defined on the opposite longitudinally adjacent edges 18 of the tubular sidewall 8 which have been welded together, for example, by ultrasonic welding, and the second weakened zone 16 is defined on the opposite radial (adjacent) edges 19 of the flange-shaped end 7 which have been welded together, for example, by ultrasonic welding(Figure 6c )。 Or when the annular element 5 is obtained by directly pressing into a closed annular configuration for use, they (the first weakened area 15 and the second weakened area 16) are composed of the radial part of the tubular side wall 8 and the longitudinally thinner part of the flange end 7 ( Figure 3 )(obtained by appropriately designing the mold).

[0024] The plug 4 is also preferably made of a synthetic plastic material as an integral part and includes a cup-shaped head 20 having recesses ( / concave surfaces) 21 pointing towards opposite sides of the annular element 5 ( Figure 2 and Figure 4 ).

[0025] The head 20 is also provided with a flange 22 on the radially outer side and on the side where its recess 21 is located for engaging with the first flange end 7 of the annular element 5.

[0026] The L-shaped teeth 14 are integrally formed with the flange 22 to point towards the annular element 5 and are positioned opposite to the circumferential through-grooves ( / through-slots / slots) 23 formed through the flange 22 so that the teeth 14 can be pressed without forming an undercut.

[0027] The head 20 of the plug 4 is defined by a first part 24 of the annular side wall, which is frustoconical and is configured to engage with the frustoconical opening 25 of the tubular side wall 8 of the annular element 5.

[0028] The head 20 of the plug 4 is also defined by a second part 26 of the annular side wall, which has a cylindrical shape and is configured to engage with the radially inner surface 10 of the tubular side wall 8 of the annular element 5.

[0029] The plug 4 is provided with at least one gripping flange 27 inside the recess 21 of the head 20 to enable the plug 4 to rotate relative to the annular element 5. Preferably, the head 20 includes a single flange 27 formed diametrically between the two side wall parts 24 and 26 inside the recess 21 and integrally formed with the two side wall parts 24 and 26, which can be manually gripped by an operator, and can also be manually gripped by the operator even when the operator is wearing gloves.

[0030] In addition to the handle 11, the first flange-shaped end 7 also has a lug 28, which also projects radially on the radially outer side of the first flange-shaped end 7. The lug 28 is formed at a position diametrically opposite to the handle 11 and is configured to be manually gripped.

[0031] The handle 11 comprises a flexible tongue 29 which is integrally formed with the flange end 7 and terminates in a manual gripping loop 30 .

[0032] The radially outer surface 9 of the tubular side wall 8 is conical, in particular frustoconical, and has a taper directed towards a second end 31 of the annular element 5 opposite the first end 7. In the following, "taper" is understood to mean the direction in which the conical surface converges towards the apex of a perfect cone of which it forms a part.

[0033] According to one aspect of the present invention, the plug 4 is provided with an axial guide stem 32, which protrudes from the annular element 5 and passes through the annular element 5 on a side opposite to the first flange-shaped end 7 of the annular element 5, and is formed to protrude axially from the head 20 on a side opposite to the flange 22.

[0034] The rod 32 is provided with a plurality of radial fins 32 and is configured to be inserted into the interior of the transmission assembly 3 (eg Figure 6b (shown schematically by the dotted lines in the figure).

[0035] Finally, the flange-shaped first end 7 of the annular element 5 is provided with a plurality of radial protrusions 34 on the side where the tubular side wall 8 is located, the plurality of radial protrusions being circumferentially spaced apart from each other and arranged annularly and being constructed to engage axially against the sealing ring 2 during use.

[0036] Finally, it is clear from the description provided so far that the present invention also relates to a sealing system for a vehicle transmission assembly 3, the sealing system as a whole consisting of 35 ( Figure 6b ) indicates and applies to an inlet opening 36 ( FIG. 6 ) of the rotating shaft 6 in the transmission assembly 3 .

[0037] The sealing system 35 comprises: an oil seal ring 2, which is placed on the inlet opening 36 and is configured to receive a rotating shaft 6 passing through the oil seal ring 2 during use; and an integrated protection assembly 1 as described above, wherein an annular element 5 having a plug 4 inserted into its interior and locked by a bayonet joint is inserted into the interior of the seal ring 2, so that the plug 4 is also inserted into the interior of the seal ring 2 and, together with the annular element 5, closes the opening 36 in a substantially fluid-tight or at least dust-tight manner; and wherein the annular element 5 engages with the (multiple) sealing lips of the seal ring 2 by sliding friction and slight interference, so that it elastically presents a deformed structure.

[0038] As a result, by using the plug 4 and the annular element 5 which are actually a single component, the opening 36 can be effectively closed in a quick and simple manner.

[0039] When the transmission assembly 3 is ready to receive the shaft 6 on the assembly line, due to the relatively thin side wall 8, it is sufficient to rotate the plug 4 through the flange 27 to remove the plug 4 to almost completely release the opening 36.

[0040] At this time, it is sufficient to introduce the shaft 6 and insert the shaft 6 inside the annular element 5; during this movement, the shaft 6 does not contact the sealing ring 2, so the sealing ring 2 is effectively protected from any damage.

[0041] Finally, with the shaft 6 in place, the operator only needs to grasp the handle 11 and the lug 28 to at least partially withdraw the annular element 5 from the opening 36 and slide the annular element 5 on the shaft 6; moreover, during this movement, the surface 9 protects the sealing ring 2.

[0042] Finally, the operator only applies a torsional action on the element 5 using the handle 11 or applies a torsional action on the element 5 using the handle 11 and the lug 28 to break the weakened areas 15 and 16 (the weakened areas 15 and 16 are thin or welded), and open the annular element 5 ([[ID=???]] Figure 6c ) so that the annular element 5 can be removed.

[0043] In the described steps, even in the presence of slight misalignment, the taper of the part 24 of the annular side wall allows the shaft 6 to be inserted in a simple manner. The taper of the side surface 9 facilitates inserting the annular element 5 inside the sealing ring 2 with very little force without causing any damage.

[0044] Finally, the rod 32 allows the insertion of the internal protection assembly 1 to be precisely guided inside the opening 36.

[0045] Therefore, the technical solution according to the present invention ensures that the sealing lip of the sealing ring 2 remains intact during the assembly operation of the transmission shaft 6 and at the same time prevents any accidental entry of contaminants.

[0046] Therefore, all the objects of the present invention are achieved. It should be noted that there seems to be an unclear tag "??? " in the original text at line 12 which needs to be further clarified in the source material.

Claims

1. An integrated protection assembly (1) for a sealing ring (2), comprising a plug (4) and an annular element (5), wherein the plug (4) is configured to be inserted into the interior of the sealing ring, and the annular element (5) is configured to protect the sealing ring during insertion of a rotating shaft (6) through the sealing ring; characterized in that In combination: i) the annular element (5) comprises a first flange-shaped end portion (7) and a tubular side wall (8), the tubular side wall (8) extending protrudingly in the axial direction from the first end portion and being configured to directly engage in contact with the sealing ring with a radially outer surface (9) of the tubular side wall (8) during use and to internally receive the rotating shaft along a radially inner surface (10) of the tubular side wall (8); The first flange-shaped end portion (7) is provided with a plurality of radial protrusions (34) on the side where the tubular side wall is located, the plurality of radial protrusions (34) are spaced apart from each other in the circumferential direction and are arranged in an annular manner, and the plurality of radial protrusions (34) are configured to engage against the sealing ring (2) in the axial direction during use; ii) the flange-shaped end portion (7) is provided with at least one handle (11) radially outwardly and projecting in the radial direction and configured to engage axially against the sealing ring during use; iii) the plug (4) and the first flange-shaped end (7) are configured to be detachably coupled together by a snap-fit connection or a bayonet joint, wherein the plug is arranged inside the annular element and can be inserted into the annular element via the first flange-shaped end (7); iv) the tubular side wall (8) is provided with a first weakened area (15) along the entire axial length of the tubular side wall (8), the first weakened area (15) being formed longitudinally next to the radially formed second weakened area (16) of the first flange-shaped end (7); the first weakened area (15) and the second weakened area (16) being configured to break under the action of a tensile force manually applied to the handle (11), thereby circumferentially opening the annular element (5).

2. The integrated protection assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that: The annular element (5) is made of synthetic plastic material in one piece.

3. The integrated protection assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that: The first weakened zone (15) is defined by opposite longitudinally adjacent edges (18) of the tubular side wall that have been welded together, and the second weakened zone (16) is defined by opposite radial edges (19) of the first flange-shaped end that have been welded together, or the first weakened zone (15) is defined by a thinner portion of the tubular side wall (8) and the second weakened zone (16) is defined by a thinner portion of the flange-shaped end (7).

4. The integrated protection assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that: The plug (4) is made of synthetic plastic material in one piece and comprises a cup-shaped head (20) having a recess (21) and a flange (22), the recess pointing to the opposite side of the annular element, the flange (22) being on the side of the cup-shaped head (20) where the recess is located, for engaging with a first flange-shaped end of the annular element; The head portion (20) of the plug is defined by: a first portion (24) of the annular sidewall, the first portion being frustoconical and configured to engage with the frustoconical opening (25) of the tubular sidewall of the annular element; and a second portion (26) of the annular sidewall, the second portion (26) being cylindrical and configured to engage the radially inner surface (10) of the tubular sidewall of the annular element.

5. The integrated protection assembly according to claim 4, characterized in that: The plug (4) is provided with at least one gripping flange (27) inside the recess of the head for rotating the plug relative to the annular element.

6. The integrated protection assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that: The first flange-shaped end portion (7) has, in addition to the handle, a lug (28), which is radially outward and protrudes in the radial direction, is formed at a position diametrically opposite to the handle (11) and is configured to be manually grasped; the handle comprises a flexible tongue (29), which is integrally formed with the flange-shaped end portion and terminates in a manual gripping ring (30).

7. The integrated protection assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that: The radially outer surface (9) of the tubular side wall is conical and has a taper directed towards a second end (31) of the annular element located opposite the first flange-shaped end.

8. The integrated protection assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that: The plug (4) is provided with an axial guide rod (32) which protrudes from and passes through the annular element on the opposite side of the first flange-shaped end (7) of the annular element; the rod (32) is provided with a plurality of radial fins (33) and is configured to be inserted into the interior of the transmission assembly (3) during use.

9. The integrated protection assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that: The sealing ring is an oil sealing ring used for a vehicle transmission component.

10. A sealing system (35) for a vehicle transmission assembly (3), suitable for an inlet (36) for a rotating shaft (6) in the transmission assembly (3); the sealing system comprises an oil seal and an integrated protection assembly (1), the oil seal being arranged on the inlet and being configured to receive the rotating shaft (6) passing through the oil seal during use, the integrated protection assembly (1) comprising a plug (4) and an annular element (5) as described in claim 1, the plug (4) being configured to be inserted into the interior of the seal (2), the annular element (5) being configured to protect the seal (2) during the insertion of the rotating shaft (6) through the seal (2).

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