Rolling bearing comprising a sealing flange

Abstract

Rolling bearing comprising an outer ring (14), an inner ring (16), at least one series of rolling elements (18) arranged radially between the rings, at least one sealing flange (26) mounted axially against a front surface (16c) of one of the rings (16), and means for fastening (34) the sealing flange to the ring (16), characterized in that the sealing flange (26) has at least one annular radial mounting section (26a) mounted axially against the front surface (16c) of the inner ring, and an annular connecting section (26c) extending radially the mounting section (26a), wherein a corrugation (46) is formed on the connecting section (26c) so that the connecting section (26c) is flexible and elastically deformable in the axial direction;and the fastening means (34) at least locally cover a zone of the front surface (16c) of the ring (16) that is free from the sealing flange (26) and a part of the sealing flange (26) that is adjacent to the zone, wherein the fastening means (34) are annular.;

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of rolling bearings and in particular those used in automotive or industrial applications.

[0002] In a rolling bearing, one or more seals are generally used to retain the lubricant, such as grease, inside the bearing and to limit the ingress of dirt particles. Typically, these seals are attached to one of the bearing rings and work together with the other ring to form a dynamic seal.

[0003] Patent application WO 2011 / 121385A1 (SKF) describes a rolling bearing comprising two seals mounted on the outer ring, each with an inner lip in frictional contact with the inner ring. The bearing further comprises two sealing flanges mounted on the inner ring, each with an outer lip that rubs against the associated seal. Each sealing flange includes a radial section mounted axially on a front surface of the inner ring and extended by a fastening section that folds into the interior of an annular groove formed in the bore of the ring. Similar rolling bearings are known from EP1167793A2 and JP H07-279977A.

[0004] During operation, dirt particles can penetrate through the gap(s) between the mounting section of the sealing flange and the groove of the inner ring, and then reach the inner lip of the seal, which is in frictional contact with the ring. This is because the flange is manufactured from a sheet metal blank through folding, cutting, and deep drawing. Furthermore, the mounting section of the flange is firmly fixed inside the groove of the inner ring. Consequently, this mounting section of the flange is not perfectly straight or flat. Narrow gaps can therefore remain between the outer surface of the mounting section and the groove of the inner ring.

[0005] The object of the present invention is to eliminate this disadvantage.

[0006] More precisely, the object of the present invention is to provide a rolling bearing which has an improved sealing flange.

[0007] Furthermore, it is an object of the present invention to provide a rolling bearing that is simple to manufacture and assemble.

[0008] In one embodiment, the rolling bearing comprises an outer ring, an inner ring, at least one row of rolling elements arranged radially between the rings, and at least one sealing flange mounted axially against a front surface of one of the rings. The sealing flange itself comprises at least one annular radial mounting section mounted axially against the front surface of the inner ring, and an annular connecting section extending radially from the mounting section, the connecting section being corrugated so that it is flexible and elastically deformable in the axial direction.

[0009] Furthermore, the rolling bearing has means for attaching the sealing flange to the ring.

[0010] The fasteners cover at least a localized area of ​​the ring's front surface that is left exposed by the sealing flange. The fasteners also cover a portion of the flange adjacent to this area. The fasteners are ring-shaped. Together with the mounting section, they secure the sealing flange to the front surface of the ring and create a seal between the flange and the ring within the fastening zone. The ring shape of the fasteners ensures a continuous circumferential seal between the flange and the ring's front surface, preventing the ingress of dirt particles between the sealing flange and the ring's front surface.Furthermore, it is not necessary to provide an additional machining operation during the manufacture of the ring to form a groove in the bore or on the outer surface of the ring for the attachment of the sealing flange.

[0011] As mentioned above, the sealing flange comprises a radial mounting section that is axially mounted against the front surface of the ring. The mounting section is preferably provided with a free end edge that is located radially between the bore and the outer surface of the ring.

[0012] In one design, the fasteners cover the free end edge of the mounting section of the sealing flange. Alternatively, the fasteners cover a portion of the inside of the sealing flange that is radially located on the side opposite the free end edge when viewing the mounting section of the flange.

[0013] In a preferred embodiment, the fastening means comprise a strand of material, for example a strand of adhesive or a weld seam.

[0014] In a preferred embodiment, the bearing further comprises at least one seal which is attached to the other ring and interacts with the ring, wherein the sealing flange is axially offset relative to the seal on the outside of the bearing. The sealing flange may be mounted axially in contact with the seal.

[0015] The sealing flange can be mounted axially in direct contact with the front surface of the other ring.

[0016] The present invention will be better understood by studying the detailed description of embodiments, which are given as examples that are by no means limiting and are illustrated by the accompanying drawings, wherein: - Fig. 1 is a half axial sectional view of a rolling bearing according to a first embodiment of the invention; - Fig. 2 a detailed view from Fig. 1 is; - Fig. 3 is a detailed view of a rolling bearing according to a second embodiment of the invention.

[0017] In Fig. Figure 1 comprises a rolling bearing 10 with an axis 12, an outer ring 14, an inner ring 16, a plurality of rolling elements 18, which here are in the form of balls arranged radially between the rings, and a housing 20 for maintaining the regular circumferential spacing of these rolling elements. The bearing 10 axially includes an annular seal 22, 24 on each side to close the radial space between the outer 14 and inner rings 16, and an annular sealing flange 26, 28 that rests on the seal 22, 24 on the outside of the bearing. In the illustrated embodiment, the seals 22, 24 are attached to the outer ring 14, while the sealing flanges 26, 28 are attached to the inner ring 16.

[0018] The outer ring 14 comprises a cylindrical axial outer surface 14a, a cylindrical bore 14b, two radially opposite front surfaces 14c, 14d which axially define the bore and the outer surface, and a rolling path formed on the bore 14b which has a concave inner profile in cross-section adapted to the rolling elements 18, the rolling path being directed radially inwards. The outer ring 14 also comprises two annular grooves 14e, 14f formed on the bore 14b and extending radially outwards. The grooves 14e, 14f are each located near the front surfaces 14c, 14d. Each groove 14e, 14f is located axially between the rolling elements 18 and one of the front surfaces 14c, 14d. The grooves 14e, 14f are symmetrical to each other and to a radial center plane that passes through the center of the bearing 10.

[0019] The inner ring 16 comprises a cylindrical bore 16a, a cylindrical axial outer surface 16b, two radially opposite front surfaces 16c, 16d which axially delimit the bore and the outer surface, and a rolling path formed on the outer surface 16b which has a concave inner profile in cross-section adapted to the rolling elements 18, the rolling path being directed radially inwards. The housing 20 is arranged radially in the radial space which is delimited by the outer surface 16b of the inner ring and the bore 14b of the outer ring.

[0020] The inner ring 16 also includes two annular grooves 16e, 16f, which are formed on the outer surface 16b and extend radially inwards. The grooves 16e, 16f are each located near the front surfaces 16c, 16d. The grooves 16e, 16f are symmetrical to each other and to the radial center plane of the bearing 10. The groove 16e, 16f is radially opposite the corresponding groove 14e, 14f.

[0021] The outer rings 14 and inner rings 16 are concentric. In the illustrated embodiment, the rings are solid. A "solid ring" is understood to be a ring whose shape is obtained by machining (turning, grinding) from tubes, bars, forged and / or rolled preforms.

[0022] Each seal 22, 24 is arranged radially between the outer 14 and inner rings 16 and attached to the outer ring, being laterally positioned against the rolling elements 18. Each seal 22, 24 is arranged within one of the grooves 14e, 14f of the outer ring. Each seal 22, 24 is entirely located within the radial space bounded by the outer 14 and inner rings 16. Each seal 22, 24 is axially offset on the inside of the bearing 10 with respect to the corresponding side surface 14c, 14d of the outer ring.

[0023] In this embodiment, the seals 22, 24 are identical to each other and symmetrical to the radial center plane of the bearing 10. Since the seals 22, 24 are identical here, only one of them is described.

[0024] The seal 22 comprises a rigid annular fitting or insert 30 and a soft annular sealing layer 32, which is attached to the insert. The insert 30 is made of a rigid material, for example, a metallic material or a thermoplastic, in particular polyamide. The insert 30 forms a reinforcing insert for the sealing layer 32. The sealing layer 32 is molded or vulcanized onto the insert 30. The sealing layer 32 is made of a soft material, for example, an elastomer such as nitrile rubber, or a thermoplastic elastomer. The sealing layer 32 covers an outer surface of the insert 30. The sealing layer 32 covers an outer side surface of the insert 30. The sealing layer 32 comprises an annular outer side surface 36, which is axially oriented towards the outside of the bearing 10 in the direction of the associated flange 26.The side surface 36 of the sealing lining forms the outer side surface of the seal 22. The side surface 36 is flat. The side surface 36 extends radially. An inner side surface 38 of the seal, which is opposite side surface 36, is oriented axially towards the interior of the bearing in the direction of the rolling elements 18. The inner side surface 38 is bounded by the insert 30.

[0025] The sealing layer 32 forms two radially opposite sealing sections, which provide a static seal with the outer ring 14 and a dynamic seal with the inner ring 16, respectively. "Static seal" refers to a seal formed between two parts without relative movement, and "dynamic seal" refers to a seal between two parts that exhibit relative movement.

[0026] The outer sealing section of the sealing lining 32 is firmly inserted into the groove 14e of the outer ring 14 to secure the seal 22 to the ring. The inner sealing section of the sealing lining 32 comprises first and second concentric annular inner lips 32a, 32b, which extend axially towards the interior of the bearing. Inner lip 32b abuts axially against a radial wall of the groove 16e of the inner ring. Inner lip 32a has a larger diameter than inner lip 32b and radially surrounds the outer surface 16b of the inner ring to form a narrow labyrinth-type passage with the outer surface.

[0027] Each sealing flange 26, 28 is axially offset relative to the associated seal 22, 24 on the outside of the bearing. Each sealing flange 26, 28 is mounted axially against one of the front surfaces 16c, 16d of the inner ring and bears axially against the sealing surface 32 of the associated seal on the outside of the bearing 10. The flanges 26, 28 are symmetrical to each other and to the radial transverse plane that passes through the center of the bearing 10. Since the flanges 26, 28 are identical in the illustrated embodiment, only one of them is described here.

[0028] The flange 26 is manufactured in one piece. The flange 26 is made of a rigid material, preferably a metallic material, advantageously from a sheet metal blank produced by cutting and deep drawing. Alternatively, the flange 26 could be made of another rigid material, for example a plastic such as polyamide.

[0029] As described in detail below, the flange 26 is fastened to the front surface 16c of the inner ring by annular fasteners 34, which are mounted on the flange and on the ring. The fasteners 34 are separated from the flange 26 and the inner ring 16. The flange 26 extends radially towards the outer ring 14. The flange 26 is mounted axially in contact with the front surface 16c of the inner ring.

[0030] The flange 26 comes into axial contact with the outer side surface 36 of the seal. In the illustrated embodiment, the flange 26 is mounted axially on the side surface 36 near the outer sealing section of the sealing lining 32. The flange 26 comprises an inner side surface 40, which is axially oriented towards the side of the seal 22 and comes into local contact with the seal, and an outer side surface 42, which is axially oriented towards the outside of the bearing. The flange 26 is mounted in direct contact with the seal 22.

[0031] The flange 26 comprises an annular mounting section 26a, which is mounted axially against the front surface 16c of the inner ring, and a bearing section 26b on the seal 22 of an annular shape and in axial contact with the outer side surface 36 of the seal. The mounting section 26a has a radial shape and forms an inner section of the flange. The mounting section 26a comprises a free end edge 44 ( Fig. 2), which limits the bore of the flange 26. The end edge 44 forms a small-diameter inner rim of the mounting section 26a and, more generally, of the flange 26. The end edge 44 radially limits the flange 26 on its inner side. The flange 26 has no section extending the end edge 44. The end edge 44 is located radially between the bore 16a and the outer surface 16b of the inner ring. The end edge 44 is located radially along the front surface 16c of the inner ring. The end edge 44 is axially adjacent to the front surface 16c.

[0032] The bearing section 26b forms an outer or end section of the flange. In the illustrated embodiment, the bearing section 26b has an axially curved concave shape on the outside and an axially convex shape on the inside. Only the bearing section 26b of the flange is mounted in contact with the seal 22.

[0033] The flange 26 also includes an annular connecting section 26c that extends between the mounting sections 26a and the bearing sections 26b, and is connected to these sections. The connecting section 26c extends radially from a large-diameter end edge of the mounting section 26a and is radially extended through the bearing section 26b. The connecting section 26c is designed to be flexible and elastically deformable in the axial direction. The connecting section 26c extends inwards towards the seal 22. In the illustrated embodiment, the connecting section 26c has a shape curved axially towards the interior of the bearing 10. A corrugation 46 is formed on the connecting section 26c to further promote the flexible and axially elastically deformable nature of this section. The corrugation 46 extends axially on the outside of the bearing 10.In the illustrated embodiment, the corrugation 46 extends from the large-diameter end edge of the mounting section 26a of the flange. Here, the flange 26 comprises a single corrugation 46. Alternatively, the flange 26 could comprise a plurality of successive corrugations in the radial direction or other shapes that promote elastic deformation of the connecting section 26c.

[0034] As more clearly in Fig. As shown in Figure 2, the fastening means 34 cover the free end edge 44 of the sealing flange and locally cover the zone of the front surface 16c of the adjacent inner ring that is left free by the flange. In the illustrated embodiment, the zone left free by the flange is offset radially inward with respect to the end edge 44 of the flange and, more generally, with respect to the flange. The fastening means 34 are in the form of an annular strand of material and can, for example, be a bead of adhesive or a weld. The fastening means 34 form a fastening strand. The fastening means 34 are continuous in the circumferential direction. The fastening means 34 fulfill a dual function, namely, to fasten the sealing flange 26 to the front surface 16c of the inner ring and to ensure the seal between the flange 26 and the front surface.The ring shape of the fastening elements 34 enables a continuous circumferential seal between the end edge 44 of the flange and the front surface 16c of the ring. This prevents the ingress of dirt particles between the sealing flange 26 and the inner ring 16.

[0035] Furthermore, the axial contact between the sealing flange 26 and the outer side surface 36 of the gasket prevents the ingress of dirt particles between the flange and the gasket. In the illustrated embodiment, the flange 26 is deformed axially outwards towards the bearing by the contact between the support section 26b and the gasket 22. The connecting section 26c of the flange is deformed against its own elasticity. The flange 26 is axially preloaded by the contact with the gasket 22. In the preloaded state, the axial distance between the mounting section 26a and the support section 26b on the inner side 40 of the flange is less than the axial distance between the sections in the free or unloaded state of the flange. Due to elasticity, the connecting section 26c of the flange tends to return to its unloaded or axially unloaded position.The bearing section 26b of the flange thus exerts a permanent axial preload force on the seal 22. This facilitates the maintenance of the sliding axial contact between the flange 26 and the seal 22.

[0036] The in Fig.The embodiment shown in Figure 3, in which the identical elements bear the same reference numerals, differs from the first described example only in the arrangement of the annular fastening means 34. The fastening means 34 locally cover the zone of the front surface 16c of the inner ring that is left free by the sealing flange and is offset radially outward toward the bearing with respect to the mounting section 26a of the flange. The fastening means 34 cover a portion of the inner side surface 40 of the flange that is adjacent to and axially opposite this zone. Each portion of the inner side surface 40 of the flange is located radially on the side opposite the end edge 44 when viewed from the mounting section 26a of the flange. In this embodiment, the fastening means 34 can, for example, be a bead of adhesive.

[0037] In the illustrated embodiments, each flange is elastically deformable in the axial direction to facilitate the maintenance of axial contact between the flange and the associated gasket. As an alternative, however, it would be possible to provide flanges that are not elastically deformable. Another alternative would be to provide a different gasket design. Each gasket could include an outer lip that rubs against the inside of the associated flange. In the illustrated embodiments, the sealing flange is mounted on the inner ring, and the associated gasket is mounted on the outer ring. Alternatively, it would be possible to provide a reverse arrangement with the gasket mounted on the inner ring and the associated flange mounted on the outer ring.In this case, the fasteners can be arranged to cover a free end edge of the mounting section of the sealing flange that defines the outer diameter of the flange. This edge forms a large-diameter rim of the flange. The fasteners locally cover the zone of the outer ring's front surface that is free of the sealing flange and offset radially outward with respect to the free end edge of the large-diameter flange. Alternatively, if the flange is mounted on the outer ring, the fasteners can locally cover the zone of the outer ring's front surface that is free of the sealing flange and offset radially inward with respect to the mounting section of the flange, and cover a portion of the inner side surface of the flange that is adjacent to and axially opposite this zone.

[0038] In another design variant, it might also be possible to forgo a gasket assigned to each sealing flange. In this case, each flange can interact with the ring to which it extends to form a seal through a narrow passage.

Claims

[1] Rolling bearing comprising an outer ring (14), an inner ring (16), at least one row of rolling elements (18) arranged radially between the rings, at least one sealing flange (26) mounted axially against a front surface (16c) of one of the rings (16), and means for fastening (34) the sealing flange to the ring (16), characterized by, that the sealing flange (26) has at least one annular radial mounting section (26a) which is mounted axially against the front surface (16c) of the inner ring, and an annular connecting section (26c) which extends the mounting section (26a) radially, wherein a corrugation (46) is formed on the connecting section (26c) so that the connecting section (26c) is flexible and elastically deformable in the axial direction; and the fastening means (34) cover at least locally a zone of the front surface (16c) of the ring (16) which is free from the sealing flange (26) and a part of the sealing flange (26) which is adjacent to the zone, wherein the fastening means (34) are annular. [2] Bearing according to claim 1, wherein the mounting section (26a) is provided with a free end edge (44) which is located radially between the bore and the outer surface of the ring. [3] Bearing according to claim 2, wherein the fastening means (34) cover the free end edge (44) of the mounting section (26a) of the sealing flange. [4] Bearing according to claim 2, wherein the fastening means (34) cover a part of the inside of the sealing flange, which is located radially on the side opposite the free end edge (44) when considering the mounting section (26a) of the flange. [5] Bearing according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the fastening means (34) comprise a strand of material. [6] Bearing according to claim 5, wherein the fastening means (34) comprise a strand of adhesive. [7] Bearing according to claim 5, wherein the fastening means (34) comprise a weld. [8] Bearing according to one of the preceding claims, further comprising at least one seal (22) which is attached to the other ring (14) and interacts with the ring (16), wherein the sealing flange (26) is axially offset in relation to the seal (22) on the outside of the bearing. [9] Bearing according to claim 8, wherein the sealing flange (26) is mounted axially in contact with the seal (22). [10] Bearing according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the sealing flange (26) is mounted axially in direct contact with the front surface (16c) of the other ring.

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