Seal assembly for sealing wheel bearing

Abstract

The invention relates to a sealing assembly for sealing a wheel bearing (1) of a vehicle, comprising: a sealing unit (2) rigidly connected to an outer ring (5) of the wheel bearing (1); and a centrifugal disc (3) rigidly connected to the inner ring (4) or hub of the wheel bearing wherein the centrifugal disc (3) has an axial portion (3a) and a radial portion (3b) adjacent to the axial portion; the sealing unit (2) has a sealing carrier (2a) and a sealing element (2b); the centrifugal disc (3) has an encoder (6) designed to provide a magnetic field on at least the outer end face of the radial portion (3b); the inner ring (4) is provided with a cylindrical seat part (4a) for the centrifugal disc (3) and a step part (4b) adjacent to the seat part; the encoder (6) has a radial extension (6a) which protrudes at least partially into the step (4b) of the inner ring (4); the radially extending portion (6a) has a recess (7).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a sealing assembly for sealing wheel bearings of a vehicle, and to a wheel bearing unit for a vehicle. Background Technology

[0002] Seals for sealing wheel bearings are well known in the prior art. In the prior art, cassette seals are used to seal wheel bearings; these seals are positioned between an outer ring and an inner ring and are intended to prevent dust and water from entering the bearing. In particular, additional seals, i.e., engagement seals, may be provided in the region of the spur gear transmission between the wheel bearing and the ball joint. This is intended to protect the gear teeth. In the prior art, engagement seals are typically attached to the region of the inner ring of the hub. It is also known that an encoder is provided on the cassette seal, which provides a signal, particularly a magnetic field signal, which is detected by a sensor and forwarded to a control unit for evaluation. The geometry of the encoder is typically matched to the sensor position. For example, such a known seal is shown in DE 10 2018 118 880 A1.

[0003] Depending on the disturbance profile from the sensor / speed sensor, it may be necessary to push the engagement seal further into the bearing. This can prevent impacts and increase bearing life. Summary of the Invention

[0004] Therefore, the object of this invention is to create a wheel bearing unit and sealing assembly with a long service life. Furthermore, it should be ensured that the disturbance profile of the sensor does not collide with the mating seal.

[0005] According to the invention, this objective is achieved by a wheel bearing unit having the features of claim 1. Preferred embodiments of the invention are described in the dependent claims and the following description, and these preferred embodiments may each represent an aspect of the invention individually or in combination.

[0006] A sealing assembly for sealing a wheel bearing of a vehicle according to the invention comprises: a sealing unit rigidly connected to the outer ring of the wheel bearing; and a centrifugal disc rigidly connected to the inner ring or hub of the wheel bearing, wherein the centrifugal disc has an axial portion and a radial portion adjacent to the axial portion, wherein the sealing unit has a sealing carrier and a sealing element, and wherein the centrifugal disc has an encoder designed to provide a magnetic field on at least one outer end face of the radial portion, wherein the inner ring has a cylindrical seat for the centrifugal disc and a stepped portion axially adjacent to said seat, and wherein the encoder has a radial extension that at least partially protrudes into the stepped portion of the inner ring, characterized in that the radial extension has a recess.

[0007] The radial extension of the encoder refers to the area protruding into the stepped portion of the inner ring. Recesses in this radial extension area allow the engagement seal to be further pushed into the bearing interior; this engagement seal is intended to seal the spur gear between the hub and the ball joint. This separates the disturbance profile of the speed sensor from the engagement seal.

[0008] According to a preferred embodiment, the recesses on the encoder are formed over the entire circumference. This means that the recesses, in the form of grooves, extend continuously over the entire circumference.

[0009] Preferably, the recess is radially disposed at the end of the radial extension of the encoder. An engagement seal is located in this area and preferably has a leg corresponding to the recess.

[0010] The radial extension of the encoder is particularly preferably positioned against the inner ring. For this purpose, an additional axial sealing lip is preferably provided on the extension. The tight seal in this area prevents corrosion on the inner ring. Alternatively, it is conceivable that the encoder forms a gap in the area between the radial extension and the inner ring.

[0011] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the encoder extends across the entire outer end face of the centrifugal disc and has an axial extension extending in the direction of the sealing unit. The axial extension of the encoder is preferably directly connected to the radial portion of the centrifugal disc. By providing the axial extension, dust and water can be better prevented from entering the seal.

[0012] The present invention also relates to a wheel bearing unit for a vehicle having a rotatable inner ring and a fixed outer ring, wherein a plurality of rolling elements are arranged between the inner ring and the outer ring, and wherein a sealing assembly as defined above is provided for sealing the wheel bearing.

[0013] Preferably, the encoder works in conjunction with the engagement seal, particularly in the region of the radial extension.

[0014] The engagement seal preferably has radial legs extending toward the encoder, which interact with a recess in the encoder. Preferably, the radial legs of the engagement seal rest in a sealing manner against the recess of the radial extension of the encoder. This prevents corrosion of the inner ring. Attached Figure Description

[0015] In the following description, the invention will be illustrated by way of example using preferred exemplary embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein the features presented below may represent aspects of the invention individually or in combination. In the drawings: Figure 1 This diagram illustrates a portion of a wheel bearing according to the prior art. Figure 2: A schematic diagram of a portion of a wheel bearing according to the present invention is shown. Detailed Implementation

[0016] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of a portion of a wheel bearing 1 according to the prior art is shown. A sealing assembly for sealing the wheel bearing is provided, the sealing assembly including a sealing unit 2 and a centrifugal disc 3. The sealing unit 2 includes a sealing carrier 2a and a sealing element 2b connected to the sealing carrier. The sealing unit 2 is rigidly connected to the outer ring 5 of the wheel bearing. Figure 1 As can be seen, the centrifugal disc 3 is pressed onto the inner ring 4. For this purpose, the inner ring has a cylindrical press-fit portion 4a. The inner ring 4 also has a stepped portion 4b. The stepped portion 4b is axially adjacent to the cylindrical press-fit portion 4a. The stepped portion 4b indicates a reduction in the diameter of the inner ring 4, as also... Figure 1 As can be seen in the prior art, a mating seal 9 is attached to the stepped portion. For this purpose, the mating seal 9 has a cylindrical region 9b that is pressed against the inner ring, particularly at least partially against the stepped portion 4b. The mating seal 9 seals the area of ​​the spur gear (not shown in detail). For this purpose, the mating seal 9 has an axial sealing lip 9d at its end that makes sealing contact with a spherical connection (also not shown). As can be seen in the prior art, the radial leg 9a rests on the radial extension at the encoder and is therefore axially arranged outside the outer ring surface. Figure 1 In this encoder, the radial extension also has a sealing protrusion that contacts the radial leg 9a of the engagement seal 9. In both cases, the engagement seal thus comes into contact with the area of ​​the speed sensor, which could lead to a collision and thus damage to the speed sensor or the engagement seal. This impairs bearing function and speed measurement.

[0017] Figure 2 Embodiments of the present invention are shown, wherein the problems described above are to be avoided. The basic structure of the wheel bearing unit including the sealing assembly is very similar to... Figure 1 The structure shown is as follows. The sealing unit 2 is attached to the outer ring 5, and the sealing unit basically includes a sealing carrier 2a and a sealing element 2b connected to the sealing carrier.

[0018] The centrifugal disc is pressed onto the inner ring 4 via an axial portion 3a. The inner ring 4 has a stepped portion 4b that extends axially to the press-fit portion 4a. Compared to the press-fit portion 4a, the stepped portion 4b is essentially achieved by reducing its diameter. An encoder 6 is disposed on the outer end face of the centrifugal disc. The encoder 6 extends into the stepped portion 4b of the inner ring. For this purpose, the encoder 6 has a radial extension 6a integrally connected to the encoder. A recess 7 is provided in the region of the radial extension 6a.

[0019] The recess 7 is preferably located in the end region of the encoder and substantially comprises a reduction in width or wall thickness. Preferably, the wall thickness of the encoder in the region of the recess 7 is less than half the wall thickness of the encoder in the region of the centrifugal disk 3. Assuming the wall thickness of the encoder in the region of the centrifugal disk 3 is the average thickness, the recess 7 reduces the wall thickness of the encoder by approximately half. Preferably, the wall thickness in the region of the recess 7 is less than 0.5 mm.

[0020] The recess 7 allows the radial leg 9a of the engagement seal corresponding to the recess 7 to contact the encoder in a sealing manner on one side (thus preventing corrosion), and allows the engagement seal 9 to move further into the bearing on the other side (and thus avoid collision with the sensor). The radial leg 9a of the engagement seal is particularly preferably flush with the outer surface of the encoder 6. Preferably, a gap S can be axially provided between the radial extension 6a of the encoder 6 and the inner ring 4. However, it is also conceivable that the radial leg 9a of the engagement seal 9 presses against the radial extension 6a of the encoder 6, such that the radial extension 9a seals against the end face of the inner ring. The recess 7 is particularly preferably in the form of a groove extending on the circumference of the encoder. Furthermore, the recess 7 can also extend radially in the region of the radial extension 6a of the encoder 6.

[0021] List of reference numerals 1 wheel bearing 2 sealing units 2a Sealing bearing 2b sealing element 3 centrifuge discs 3a Axial portion 3b Radial portion 4 Inner Ring 4a Cylindrical Sealing Part 4b Step Section 5 Outer Ring 6 encoders 6a Radial extension 6b Axial Extension 7 concavities 8 rolling elements 9. Joint seal 9a radial support leg 9b cylindrical area 9c end region 9d Another sealing element S-gap Axial direction R is in the radial direction.

Claims

1. A sealing assembly for sealing a wheel bearing (1) of a vehicle, the sealing assembly comprising: a sealing unit (2) rigidly connected to an outer ring (5) of the wheel bearing (1); and a centrifugal disc (3) rigidly connected to an inner ring (4) or a hub of the wheel bearing, wherein, The centrifugal disc (3) has an axial portion (3a) and a radial portion (3b) adjacent to the axial portion, wherein the sealing unit (2) has a sealing support (2a) and a sealing element (2b), and wherein the centrifugal disc (3) has an encoder (6) designed to provide a magnetic field on at least one outer end face of the radial portion (3b), wherein the inner ring (4) has a cylindrical seat (4a) for the centrifugal disc (3) and a stepped portion (4b) axially adjacent to the seat, and wherein the encoder (6) has a radial extension (6a) that at least partially protrudes into the stepped portion (4b) of the inner ring (4), characterized in that the radial extension (6a) has a recess (7).

2. The sealing assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that, The recess (7) is formed around the entire circumference.

3. The sealing assembly according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The recess (7) is radially disposed at the end of the radial extension (6a).

4. The sealing assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The radial extension (6a) abuts against the inner ring (4) in a sealed manner.

5. The sealing assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, The encoder (6) forms a gap (S) in the region between the radial extension (6a) and the inner ring (4).

6. The sealing assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The encoder (6) extends across the entire outer end face of the centrifugal disc (3) and has an axial extension (6b) extending in the direction of the sealing unit (2).

7. A wheel bearing unit for a vehicle, the wheel bearing unit having a rotatable inner ring (4) and a fixed outer ring (5), wherein, A plurality of rolling elements (8) are arranged between the inner ring (4) and the outer ring (5), wherein a sealing assembly for sealing the wheel bearing is provided, wherein the sealing assembly is designed according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

8. The wheel bearing unit according to claim 7, characterized in that, The encoder (6) interacts with the engagement seal (9) particularly in the region of the radial extension (6a).

9. The wheel bearing unit according to claim 8, characterized in that, The engagement seal (9), which has a radial leg (9a) extending in the direction of the encoder (6), interacts with the recess (7) of the encoder (6).

10. The wheel bearing unit according to claim 9, characterized in that, The radial leg (9a) of the engagement seal (9) abuts against the recess (7) of the radial extension (6a) of the encoder (6) in a sealing manner.

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