Seal assembly and bearing device

Abstract

The invention relates to a sealing assembly for a bearing arrangement, comprising a first sealing body for fastening to a bearing inner ring and a second sealing body for fastening to a bearing outer ring, the first sealing body having a first axial section on the radially outer side and a second axial section on the radially inner side, the first sealing body is provided with a first axial section and a second axial section, the radial section is connected with the first axial section and the second axial section, the second sealing body is provided with a third axial section extending in the axial direction, the first axial section and the third axial section form a sealing opening channel of the sealing assembly, and the first axial section and the second axial section extend towards the two axial sides relative to the radial section; therefore, impurities entering the sealing assembly can be discharged out of the sealing assembly along the first radial section and the sealing opening channel under the action of centrifugal force.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention pertains to sealing technology for wheel hub bearings, specifically a dynamic sealing technology. Bearings in wheel hub drive systems typically utilize a seal assembly structure consisting of a skeleton, rubber, and a sealing lip, installed between the inner and outer rings of the bearing. This seal assembly is used to seal grease inside the bearing and retain contaminants and mud on the outside. Background Technology

[0002] In mechanical transmission systems, bearings play a crucial role. To ensure the normal operation of bearings and prevent lubricant leakage and the ingress of external contaminants, the design of the sealing components is paramount. Traditional bearing sealing methods have some shortcomings, such as inadequate sealing performance, and susceptibility to leakage and contaminant intrusion under complex operating conditions, thus affecting the bearing's service life and performance.

[0003] Existing bearing assemblies typically include an outer ring and an inner ring, with a sealing assembly disposed between them. This sealing assembly consists of a first sealing body fixed to the inner ring and a second sealing body fixed to the outer ring. Both the first and second sealing bodies have axially extending portions, which together form a sealing channel to prevent external impurities from entering the internal cavity of the bearing assembly. Simultaneously, the second sealing body also has a contact lip for forming a contact seal with the first sealing body, ensuring that external substances do not enter the bearing assembly.

[0004] However, existing bearing sealing assemblies have shortcomings in certain application environments. For example, in hub drive systems, when exposed to water, impurities can enter the receiving cavity through the sealing port channel along with the fluid. Due to the relatively high-speed motion between the first and second sealing bodies, impurities entering the receiving cavity move towards the sealing port channel under centrifugal force, but cannot be discharged due to the obstruction of the axial section of the first sealing body, causing impurities to accumulate continuously in the receiving cavity. As the amount of impurities accumulates, the wear of the sealing lip accelerates, and the sealing performance of the sealing assembly gradually declines. This not only leads to lubricant leakage inside the bearing but also makes it easier for external impurities to enter the bearing, thereby accelerating bearing wear, shortening the service life of the bearing assembly, increasing equipment maintenance costs and downtime, and affecting the normal operation of the entire mechanical equipment. Therefore, it is necessary to improve existing bearing sealing assemblies to enhance their sealing performance and reliability in complex environments. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide an improved sealing assembly for bearing devices, which can smoothly discharge impurities that have entered the sealing assembly again, thereby improving the service life of the sealing assembly of the bearing device.

[0006] The bearing assembly of the present invention includes an inner bearing ring and an outer bearing ring, with a sealing assembly installed between them for dynamic sealing. The sealing assembly consists of a first sealing body fixed to the inner bearing ring and a second sealing body fixed to the outer bearing ring. The first sealing body has an axially extending first axial segment located radially outward, a second axial segment located radially inward, and a radial segment connecting the first and second axial segments. The second sealing body has an axially extending third axial segment. The gap between the first and third axial segments forms a sealing port channel for the sealing assembly. The sealing port channel is a narrow channel, thereby preventing external impurities from entering the sealing assembly. The first and second axial segments extend axially to both sides relative to the radial segment. A receiving cavity is formed between the first and second sealing bodies, where impurities entering the sealing assembly through the sealing port channel are temporarily stored. The second axial section is located radially inner and abuts against the inner ring of the bearing, forming the bottom of the receiving cavity. The first axial section is located radially outer and opposite in axis to the second axial section, meaning the first axial section extends away from the receiving cavity. This allows impurities entering the receiving cavity to be discharged out of the sealing assembly under centrifugal force along the radial section and the sealing port channel, without being blocked by the first axial section. This structural design enables the sealing assembly to effectively discharge external contaminants to the outside of the bearing during operation, ensuring normal bearing operation and improving bearing service life and reliability.

[0007] According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the radial segment includes a first radial segment connected to a first axial segment, a third radial segment connected to a second axial segment, and a second radial segment connecting the first and third radial segments, the first and third radial segments extending radially. The segmented structure of the radial segment facilitates the structural arrangement of the sealing assembly. More preferably, the second sealing body has a first contact lip extending toward and contacting the first radial segment. The presence of the first contact lip enhances the sealing effect of the sealing assembly at a specific location. During bearing operation, the close contact with the first radial segment effectively prevents external substances from entering the bearing interior from that location, improving the sealing assembly's protection capability and extending the bearing's service life. More preferably, the second radial segment is inclined axially outward, causing the first sealing body to have an S-shaped form. The top edge of the S-shape is the first axial segment, which forms a sealing port channel with the third axial segment. The lower space and bottom edge (second axial segment) of the S-shape can be used to accommodate and contact the contact lip of the sealing assembly, improving the overall compactness and sealing performance of the sealing assembly. Another option is to have the second radial segment tilted inwards towards the axial direction, so that the first, second, and third radial segments together present an inclined guiding path that can guide impurities out of the containment cavity, making the discharge of impurities smoother.

[0008] According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the second sealing body has a second contact lip that contacts the second axial segment of the first sealing body. This contact method can form an effective sealing barrier at a specific location, maintaining the sealing effect even under force and pressure changes in different directions during bearing rotation, reducing the possibility of lubricant leakage and contaminant ingress, and ensuring the cleanliness and stability of the bearing's internal environment. More preferably, a fastening ring is fitted onto the second contact lip. The presence of the fastening ring enhances the contact stability between the second contact lip and other components, preventing displacement or deformation of the contact lip due to vibration or other external forces during long-term bearing operation, ensuring the durability of the sealing effect, thereby extending the bearing's service life. Furthermore, it is also possible to further consider a second sealing body having a third contact lip that extends axially inward and contacts the S-shaped bottom edge of the second sealing body, i.e., the second axial segment. This design further enhances the sealing effect, especially in the axial direction, better preventing lubricant from flowing into the sealing assembly, improving the sealing performance and reliability of the bearing assembly.

[0009] According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the first axial segment is inclined radially outward. In this invention, the axial segment refers to a segment extending along the bearing's axial direction, and the radial segment refers to a segment extending along the bearing's radial direction, but is not strictly limited to being parallel to either the axial or radial direction. Preferably, the first axial segment is inclined radially outward. This inclined design allows for better guidance of the flow direction of fluid and contaminants during bearing operation, making them easier to discharge and thus reducing the impact on the sealing effect. More preferably, the first radial segment is inclined axially outward, and the first axial segment smoothly transitions to the first radial segment at its axial end. This structural design facilitates the easier flow of impurities in the receiving cavity out of the sealing channel under centrifugal force during bearing rotation, following the first radial segment, the smooth segment, and the first axial segment, preventing the accumulation of impurities in the receiving cavity and thus improving the reliability of the bearing assembly.

[0010] According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the sealing assembly has a pump groove at the sealing port channel. When the bearing is running, the pump groove, with its special structure and working principle, can discharge contaminants that may enter the sealing port channel, preventing further intrusion of contaminants into the bearing. It also helps maintain pressure balance within the sealing port channel, improving the sealing performance and protection against contaminants. Furthermore, when the bearing assembly rotates at high speed, the pump groove can provide a certain pumping force to throw mud, water, and dirt out of the sealing port channel. Preferably, the sealing assembly is installed between the inner and outer rings of the bearing via an interference fit, which facilitates installation and eliminates the need for additional fixing components and processes, reducing assembly and component costs. The interference fit ensures that the sealing assembly maintains a tight connection under high load and high speed conditions, preventing loosening or displacement, thereby further improving the overall service life and sealing performance of the bearing assembly. Attached Figure Description

[0011] Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0012] Figure 1 It is a cross-sectional view of the sealing assembly of a bearing device based on existing technology;

[0013] Figure 2 This is a cross-sectional view of a sealing assembly according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0014] In the figures, the same reference numerals indicate components with the same or similar functions. The directions such as "axial" and "radial" used in this invention are relative to the bearing. Radial outward / radial outer side refers to the direction radially away from the bearing assembly; radial inward / radial inner side refers to the direction radially toward the interior of the bearing assembly; axial inner side refers to the direction axially toward the interior of the assembly; and axial outer side refers to the direction axially toward the external environment. Detailed Implementation

[0015] The embodiments described below with reference to the accompanying drawings are exemplary and intended to explain the invention, and should not be construed as limiting the invention.

[0016] Figure 1A cross-sectional view of a bearing assembly sealing component in the prior art is shown. The bearing assembly includes an inner bearing ring 1 and an outer bearing ring 2. The inner bearing ring 1 and the outer bearing ring 2 rotate relative to each other, and a sealing assembly 3 is provided between them. The sealing assembly 3 has a first sealing body 31 fixed to the inner bearing ring 1 and a second sealing body 32 fixed to the outer bearing ring 2. The bearing assembly according to the invention is preferably installed on a hub drive system, therefore the relative movement between the first sealing body 31 and the second sealing body 32 is generally relatively fast. A receiving cavity is formed between the first sealing body 31 and the second sealing body 32, and within the receiving cavity, the second sealing body 32 has a contact lip 33 that forms a contact seal with the first sealing body 31, for better preventing foreign objects from entering the interior of the bearing assembly. Figure 1 (Left side blank). The first sealing body 31 and the second sealing body 32 each have an axially extended first axial section 311 and a third axial section 321, which together form the sealing port channel 34 of the sealing assembly 3. The narrow sealing port channel 34 formed by the first axial section 311 and the third axial section 321 can prevent external impurities from entering the receiving cavity. However, in a hub drive system, such as in a wading environment, impurities can enter the receiving cavity with the fluid. When the first sealing body 31 and the second sealing body 32 move relative to each other at high speed, impurities (as shown by the black dots in the figure) will move towards the sealing port channel 34 due to centrifugal force, but cannot be discharged due to the obstruction of the first axial section 311. Therefore, more and more impurities accumulate in the receiving cavity, accelerating the wear of the sealing lip and thus affecting the sealing performance of the sealing assembly 3.

[0017] The present invention addresses this technical problem by optimizing the outflow path of impurities and utilizing the centrifugal force generated during bearing operation to expel them. The first sealing body 31 has a first axial segment 311, a second axial segment 313, and a radial segment connecting them. The first axial segment 311 and the second axial segment 313 extend axially to opposite sides relative to the radial segment. The second axial segment 313 forms the bottom of the receiving cavity, and the radial segments of the second sealing body 32 and the first sealing body 31 form the two walls of the receiving cavity. Because the axial directions of the first axial segment 311 and the second axial segment 312 are different, the flow of impurities in the receiving cavity under centrifugal force is not blocked by the first axial segment 311, allowing them to be smoothly discharged outside the sealing assembly. A preferred embodiment of the sealing assembly 3 is given below; however, those skilled in the art should understand that the sealing assembly 3 can have many more configurations and is not limited to the specific form in the preferred embodiment given below.

[0018] Figure 2The illustrated bearing assembly includes an inner bearing ring 1 and an outer bearing ring 2, which rotate relative to each other. A sealing assembly 3 is provided between the inner bearing ring 1 and the outer bearing ring 2. The sealing assembly 3 has a first sealing body 31 fixed to the inner bearing ring 1 and a second sealing body 32 fixed to the outer bearing ring 2. The first sealing body 31 has a first axial section 311, a second axial section 313, and radial sections 312, 314, and 315 connecting them. The second sealing body 32 has a third axial section 321. The first axial section 311 and the third axial section 321 can form a narrow sealing channel 34. The sealing channel 34 can prevent some impurities from entering the interior of the sealing assembly 3. However, since the bearing assembly according to the present invention may be used in the wheel hub drive system of a vehicle, impurities can easily flow into the receiving cavity 37 of the sealing assembly 3 along with sewage. In order to prevent impurities (such as...) from entering the receiving cavity 37 of the sealing assembly 3... Figure 2 (As shown by the black dots in the image) The impurities are successfully discharged again. The first axial section 311 and the second axial section 313 of the first sealing body 31 extend towards both sides of the axial direction relative to the radial sections 312, 314, and 315. That is, the first axial section 311 extends in the direction away from the receiving cavity 37. Under the action of centrifugal force, the impurities in the receiving cavity 37 move radially along the radial sections 312, 314, and 315 and are pumped out through the sealing port channel 34, thereby avoiding the accumulation of impurities in the receiving cavity 37.

[0019] like Figure 2 As shown, the radial section of the first sealing body 31 has a first radial section 312, a second radial section 314, and a third radial section 315. The first radial section 312 is connected to the axial end of the first axial section 311 facing the inner side of the bearing device (left side in the figure). The second sealing body 32 has a first contact lip 322 extending toward and contacting the first radial section 312. Thus, the first axial section 311, the third axial section 321, the first radial section 312, the radial section of the sealing body 32, and the first contact lip 322 form a receiving cavity 37. After sewage and impurities enter the receiving cavity 37 through the sealing port channel 34, they will be temporarily stored in the receiving cavity 37. The first contact lip 322 will prevent them from continuing to flow into the interior of the sealing assembly 3.

[0020] like Figure 2As shown, the second radial segment 314 of the first sealing body 31 is inclined outwards towards the axial direction, thus making the first sealing body 31 S-shaped. The second sealing body 32 also has a second contact lip 323, which extends towards the lower part of the S-shaped receiving space of the first sealing body 31 and contacts the second axial segment 313, thereby reducing the axial space of the sealing assembly 3 and making the overall structure more compact. A fastening ring 35 can also be added to the second contact lip 323 to make the contact between the second contact lip 323 and the first sealing body 31 more secure and improve the sealing performance. In addition, the second sealing body 32 also has a third contact lip 324 extending towards the inner side of the bearing and contacting the second axial segment 313, which can further improve the sealing performance of the sealing assembly 3.

[0021] According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the first axial segment 311 and the third axial segment 321 are substantially parallel to the bearing axial direction, and the first radial segment 312 and the third radial segment 315 are also substantially parallel to the radial direction. However, the present invention does not specifically limit the shape of the axial and radial segments, as long as their respective functions can be achieved. For example, in another preferred embodiment, the first axial segment 311 is inclined radially outward, the first radial segment 312 is inclined axially outward, and the second radial segment 314 is inclined axially inward. The connection between the first axial segment 311 and the first radial segment 312 is smoothly transitioned. This inclined design allows for better guidance of the flow direction of fluid and contaminants during bearing operation, making them easier to discharge and thus reducing the impact on the sealing effect. It is also preferred that a pump groove 36 is provided at the outlet of the sealing port channel 34. When the sealing assembly 3 rotates, the pump groove 36 can effectively pump contaminants out of the sealing assembly 3, and the direction of centrifugal force and pumping force is towards the outside of the bearing. Therefore, even if contaminants enter the sealing assembly 3, they can be gradually and smoothly discharged through centrifugal force and pumping force. This ensures that the sealing components of this invention have excellent sealing performance and a longer service life.

[0022] While possible embodiments have been described exemplarily in the foregoing description, it should be understood that numerous variations of the embodiments exist through combinations of all known and readily conceived technical features and implementation methods. Furthermore, it should be understood that the exemplary embodiments are merely examples and do not in any way limit the scope, application, or construction of the invention. For instance, the specific shapes of the axial and radial segments can also have many variations. The foregoing description is more of a technical guide for those skilled in the art to transform at least one exemplary embodiment, wherein various changes can be made, particularly regarding the function and structure of the components, without departing from the scope of the claims.

[0023] List of reference numerals

[0024] 1. Bearing inner ring

[0025] 2 bearing outer ring

[0026] 3 sealing components

[0027] 31 First sealing body

[0028] 311 First Axial Section

[0029] 312 First radial segment

[0030] 313 Second Axial Section

[0031] 314 Second radial segment

[0032] 315 Third radial segment

[0033] 32 Second sealing body

[0034] 321 Third Axial Section

[0035] 322 First contact lips

[0036] 323 Second contact lip

[0037] 324 Third Contact Lip

[0038] 33 Contact Lips

[0039] 34 Sealing Port Channel

[0040] 35 Fastening Ring

[0041] 36 pump tank

[0042] 37 Reception Chamber

Claims

1. A sealing assembly (3) for a bearing assembly, comprising a first sealing body (31) for fixing to an inner ring (1) of the bearing and a second sealing body (32) for fixing to an outer ring (2) of the bearing, wherein, The first sealing body (31) has a first axial segment (311) located radially outward and a second axial segment (313) located radially inward, and radial segments (312, 314, 315) connecting the first axial segment (311) and the second axial segment (313). The second sealing body (32) has an axially extending third axial segment (321). The first axial segment (311) and the third axial segment (321) form a sealing port channel (34) of the sealing assembly (3). The first axial segment (311) and the second axial segment (313) extend axially to both sides relative to the radial segments (312, 314, 315).

2. The sealing assembly (3) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The radial segments (312, 314, 315) have a first radial segment (312) connected to the first axial segment (311), a third radial segment (315) connected to the second axial segment (313), and a second radial segment (314) connecting the first radial segment (312) and the third radial segment (315), wherein the first radial segment (312) and the third radial segment (315) extend radially.

3. The sealing assembly (3) according to claim 2, characterized in that, The second sealing body (32) has a first contact lip (322) that extends toward and contacts the first radial segment (312).

4. The sealing assembly (3) according to claim 3, characterized in that, The second radial segment (314) is inclined outward in the axial direction, thereby giving the first sealing body (31) an S-shaped shape.

5. The sealing assembly (3) according to claim 2, characterized in that, The second radial segment (314) is inclined toward the axial inner side.

6. The sealing assembly (3) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that, The second sealing body (32) has a second contact lip (323) that contacts the second axial segment (313).

7. The sealing assembly (3) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that, The first axial segment (311) is inclined radially outward.

8. The sealing assembly (3) according to claim 7, characterized in that, The first radial segment (312) is inclined outward in the axial direction.

9. The sealing assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that, The sealing assembly (3) has a pump groove (36) at the sealing port channel (34).

10. A bearing device, characterized in that, The bearing assembly has a sealing component (3) according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

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