Sealed cartridge with conductive non-woven grounding

Abstract

A cartridge sealing device for sealing between a shaft and a housing includes a sleeve configured to be mounted to the shaft and including a cylindrical portion and a radially extending portion extending radially outward from the cylindrical portion. The holder cartridge includes: a main holder configured to be mounted to the housing and to support a sealing member including a main sealing lip; and a dedicated retainer connected to the main retainer and supporting a dedicated seal, the dedicated seal configured to engage the shaft. An electrically conductive non-woven element is disposed longitudinally between the sealing member and the dedicated seal and engages the retainer barrel and is configured to engage the shaft.

Description

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0002] This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application No. 17 / 514,986 filed on October 29, 2021. The entire disclosure of the above application is incorporated herein by reference. Field of the Invention

[0003] The present disclosure relates to a sealing cartridge having a conductive non-woven element. Technical Background

[0004] This section provides background information related to the present disclosure which is not necessarily prior art.

[0005] Conventional cassette seals are designed to allow high contamination exclusion through multiple exclusion functions.

[0006] Current conductive seals, such as disclosed in US Pat. No. 10,190,690, form a low impedance connection (ground) between the shaft and the housing to eliminate electrical interference. Summary of the invention

[0007] This section provides a general summary of the disclosure, and is not a comprehensive disclosure of its full scope or all of its features.

[0008] A cartridge seal for sealing between a shaft and a housing includes a sleeve configured to be mounted to the shaft and including a cylindrical portion and a radially extending portion extending radially outward from the cylindrical portion. A retainer cartridge includes: a primary retainer configured to be mounted to the housing and supporting a sealing member including a primary sealing lip; and a dedicated retainer connected to the primary retainer and supporting a dedicated seal configured to engage the shaft. A conductive non-woven element is longitudinally disposed between the sealing member and the dedicated seal and engages the retainer cartridge and is configured to engage the shaft.

[0009] Further areas of applicability will become apparent from the description provided herein.The description and specific examples in this summary are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] The drawings described herein are for illustrative purposes only of selected embodiments and not all possible implementations, and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.

[0011] Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view of an exemplary cassette sealing device according to a first embodiment;

[0012] Figure 2is a cross-sectional view of an exemplary cassette seal according to an alternative second embodiment;

[0013] Figure 3 is a plan view of an exemplary conductive nonwoven element; and

[0014] Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of an exemplary cassette sealing device according to a third embodiment.

[0015] Corresponding reference numerals indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views of the drawings. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0016] Example embodiments will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0017] refer to Figure 1 An exemplary cassette seal device 10 according to the principles of the present disclosure will now be described. The cassette seal device 10 is configured to be installed between a housing 12 and a shaft 14 for sealing a gap therebetween.

[0018] The cassette seal 10 includes a sleeve 16 configured to be mounted to the shaft 14 and including a first cylindrical portion 16a in which the shaft 14 is received and a first radially extending portion 16b extending radially outward from the cylindrical portion 16a. A second cylindrical portion 16c extends axially from an outer end of the radially extending portion 16b, and a second radially extending portion 16d extends from one end of the second cylindrical portion 16c. The sleeve 16 may further include an elastomer layer 18 located on an inner surface of the cylindrical portion 16a and on outer sides of the first radially extending portion 16b and the second cylindrical portion 16c of the sleeve 16.

[0019] The retainer barrel 20 is configured to be mounted to the housing 12 and includes a main retainer 22 and a dedicated retainer 24 connected to each other. The main retainer 22 supports a sealing member 26, which includes a main sealing lip 28 and a pair of dust lips 30a, 30b. The main retainer 22 includes a cylindrical outer portion 22a that engages the housing 12 and a radially outward bending area 22b extending from a first end of the cylindrical outer portion 22a and defining a shoulder that abuts the housing. The radially outward bending area 22b terminates in a U-shaped bend 22c, which captures the outer end 24a of the dedicated retainer 24. The main retainer 22 includes a first radially inward extending portion 22d extending inwardly from the second end of the cylindrical outer portion 22a. The inner cylindrical portion 22e extends axially from the radial inner end of the first radially inward extending portion 22d. The second radially inward extending portion 22f extends radially inwardly from the second end of the inner cylindrical portion 22e. The sealing member 26 is molded on the inner end of the second radially inwardly extending portion 22f. The main sealing lip 28 and the first dust lip 30a of the pair of dust lips engage the cylindrical portion 16a of the sleeve 16, while the second dust lip 30b of the pair of dust lips engages the first radially extending portion 16b of the sleeve 16. The main sealing lip 28 may include a garter spring 32. The elastomer molded on the second radially inwardly extending portion 22f also includes a buffer area opposite the second radially extending portion 16d of the sleeve 16.

[0020] The outer end 24a of the dedicated retainer 24 is connected to the U-shaped bend 22c of the main retainer 22. The dedicated retainer 24 also includes a cylindrical portion 24b that extends axially from the outer end 24a in a direction opposite to the main retainer 22. The radially inwardly extending portion 24c extends radially inwardly from the cylindrical portion 24b and supports a dedicated seal 36. The dedicated seal 36 is configured to engage the shaft and may include a pair of dust-proof lips 36a, 36b.

[0021] The conductive non-woven element 40 is longitudinally disposed between the sealing member 26 and the dedicated seal 36. The conductive non-woven element 40 has an outer periphery 40a that engages the retainer barrel 24 and an inner periphery 40b that is configured to engage the shaft 14. The conductive non-woven element 40 may be adhered to the outer side of the first radially extending portion 16b of the sleeve 16. Figure 3 As shown, the conductive nonwoven element 40 may also include a keyhole slot 42 extending radially inwardly from the outer periphery 40a. The keyhole 42 reduces radial loading of the nonwoven element 40 and reduces the torque required to rotate the shaft 14 and sleeve 16 when in contact with the ejector / retainer seal.

[0022] refer to Figure 2, wherein the same reference numerals are used to indicate the same or similar elements, shows an alternative cassette seal device 110, which includes a modified dedicated retainer 124 for supporting a dedicated seal 136 engaged with an auxiliary sleeve 114 disposed on the shaft 14. The modified dedicated retainer 124 has a shorter radially inwardly extending portion 124c than the dedicated retainer 24.

[0023] refer to Figure 4 , wherein the same reference numerals are used to indicate the same or similar elements, an exemplary cassette seal 210 according to the principles of the present disclosure will now be described. The cassette seal 210 is configured to be installed between the housing 12 and the shaft 14 for sealing a gap therebetween.

[0024] The cassette seal 210 includes a sleeve 16 configured to be mounted to the shaft 14 and including a first cylindrical portion 16a receiving the shaft 14 therein and a first radially extending portion 16b extending radially outward from the cylindrical portion 16a. A second cylindrical portion 16c extends axially from an outer end of the radially extending portion 16b, and a second radially extending portion 16d extends from one end of the second cylindrical portion 16c. The sleeve 16 may further include an elastomer layer 18 located on an inner surface of the cylindrical portion 16a and on outer sides of the first radially extending portion 16b and the second cylindrical portion 16c of the sleeve 16.

[0025] The retainer 220 is configured to be mounted to the housing 12. The retainer 220 supports the sealing member 26, which includes a main sealing lip 28 and a pair of dust lips 30a, 30b. The retainer 220 includes a cylindrical outer portion 220a that engages the housing 12 and a radially inward curved area 220b extending from a first end of the cylindrical outer portion 220a. The retainer 220 includes a first radially inward extending portion 220c extending inwardly from a second end of the cylindrical outer portion 220a. An inner cylindrical portion 220d extends axially from a radially inner end of the first radially inward extending portion 220c. A second radially inward extending portion 220e extends radially inwardly from a second end of the inner cylindrical portion 220d. The sealing member 26 is molded on the inner end of the second radially inward extending portion 220e. The main sealing lip 28 and the first dust lip 30a of the pair of dust lips engage the cylindrical portion 16a of the sleeve 16, while the second dust lip 30b of the pair of dust lips engages the first radially extending portion 16b of the sleeve 16. The main sealing lip 28 may include a garter spring 32. The elastomer molded on the second radially inwardly extending portion 220e also includes a buffer area 34 opposite the second radially extending portion 16d of the sleeve 16.

[0026] The conductive non-woven element 240 has a radially outer end 240a that engages the cylindrical outer portion 220a of the retainer 220 and a radially inner end 240b that engages the shaft 14. The conductive non-woven element 240 can be adhered to the outer side of the first radially extending portion 16b of the sleeve 16. Figure 3 As mentioned, the conductive nonwoven element 240 may further include a keyhole slot 42 extending radially inwardly from the outer periphery 40a.

[0027] Exemplary embodiments are provided so that the disclosure will be complete and the scope will be fully conveyed to those skilled in the art. A large number of specific details (such as examples of specific parts, devices and methods) are set forth to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiments of the present disclosure. It is obvious to those skilled in the art that the exemplary embodiments can be implemented in many different forms and any embodiment should not be construed as limiting the scope of the present disclosure without having to adopt specific details. In some exemplary embodiments, well-known processes, well-known device structures and well-known technologies are not described in detail.

[0028] The terms used herein are only used to describe the purpose of specific exemplary embodiments and are not intended to be limiting. As used herein, the singular forms "one", "a kind of" and "said" may be intended to also include plural forms unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. The terms "include", "comprise", "cover" and "have" are inclusive and therefore specify the presence of the features, integers, steps, operations, elements and / or parts, but do not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, parts and / or their groups. The method steps, processes and operations described herein should not be interpreted as needing to be performed in the specific order discussed or described, unless specifically indicated as the order of execution. It should also be understood that additional or alternative steps can be adopted.

[0029] When an element or layer is referred to as being "on another element or layer," "engaged to," "connected to," or "coupled to" another element or layer, it may be directly on, engaged to, connected to, or coupled to another element or layer, or there may be intermediate elements or layers. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being "directly on another element or layer," "directly engaged to," "directly connected to," or "directly coupled to" another element or layer, there may be no intermediate elements or layers. Other words used to describe the relationship between elements should be interpreted in a similar manner (e.g., "between" versus "directly between," "adjacent" versus "directly adjacent," etc.). As used herein, the term "and / or" includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

[0030] Although the terms first, second, third, etc. can be used to describe various elements, components, regions, layers and / or sections in this article, these elements, components, regions, layers and / or sections should not be limited by these terms. These terms may only be used to distinguish an element, component, region, layer or section from another region, layer or section. Terms such as "first", "second" and other numerical items do not imply order or sequence when used in this article unless the context clearly indicates. Therefore, the first element, component, region, layer or section discussed below may be referred to as the second element, component, region, layer or section without departing from the teaching of the exemplary embodiment.

[0031] For ease of description, spatially-related terms such as "inside", "outside", "below", "beneath", "lower", "above", "upper", etc. may be used herein to describe the relationship of one element or feature relative to another element or features as shown in the accompanying drawings. Spatially-related terms may be intended to also cover different orientations of the device in use or operation in addition to the orientation shown in the figures. For example, if the device in the figure is flipped, then the elements described as being "below" or "below" other elements or features will be oriented to be "above" the other elements or features. Therefore, the exemplary term "below" can include both the orientations of "above" and "below". The device can be oriented in other ways (rotated 90 degrees or in other orientations), and the spatially-relative descriptors used herein are also interpreted accordingly.

Claims

1. A cassette sealing device for sealing between a shaft and a housing, the cassette sealing device comprising: a sleeve configured to be mounted to the shaft and comprising a cylindrical portion and a radially extending portion extending radially outward from the cylindrical portion; a retainer cartridge comprising: a primary retainer configured to be mounted to the housing and to support a sealing member including a primary sealing lip; and a dedicated retainer connected to the primary retainer and to support a dedicated seal configured to engage the shaft; a conductive element disposed longitudinally between the sealing member and the dedicated seal and engaging the retainer barrel and configured to engage the shaft; The conductive element is mounted to the radially extending portion of the sleeve; The conductive element engages with the cylindrical portion of the dedicated holder; and The sealing member has at least one contact element that contacts the sleeve.

2. The cartridge seal of claim 1, wherein the at least one contact element comprises a first contact element that engages the cylindrical portion of the sleeve.

3. The cassette seal of claim 2, wherein the at least one contact element comprises a second contact element that engages the radially extending portion of the sleeve.

4. The cassette seal of claim 1, wherein the at least one contact element engages the radially extending portion of the sleeve.

5. A cassette sealing device for sealing between a shaft and a housing, the cassette sealing device comprising: a sleeve configured to be mounted to the shaft and comprising a cylindrical portion and a radially extending portion extending radially outward from the cylindrical portion; a retainer cartridge comprising: a primary retainer configured to be mounted to the housing and to support a sealing member including a primary sealing lip; and a dedicated retainer connected to the primary retainer and to support a dedicated seal configured to engage the shaft; a conductive element disposed longitudinally between the sealing member and the dedicated seal and engaging the retainer barrel and configured to engage the shaft; The conductive element is mounted to the radially extending portion of the sleeve; The conductive element engages with the cylindrical portion of the dedicated holder.

6. A cassette sealing device for sealing between a shaft and a housing, the cassette sealing device comprising: a sleeve configured to be mounted to the shaft and comprising a cylindrical portion and a radially extending portion extending radially outward from the cylindrical portion; a retainer configured to be mounted to the housing and to support a sealing member including a primary sealing lip; a conductive element mounted to the radially extending portion of the sleeve and engaging the retainer and configured to engage the shaft; and The sealing member has at least one contact element that contacts the sleeve.

7. The cartridge seal of claim 6, wherein the at least one contact element comprises a first contact element that engages the cylindrical portion of the sleeve.

8. The cassette seal of claim 7, wherein the at least one contact element comprises a second contact element that engages the radially extending portion of the sleeve.

9. The cassette seal of claim 6, wherein the at least one contact element engages the radially extending portion of the sleeve.

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