Sealing ring, hub cap system and vehicle

Abstract

Sealing ring (101) comprising a holding area (105) and a primary sealing lip (102), wherein the holding area (105) is formed circumferentially around an axial direction (A), wherein a radial direction (R) extends radially and perpendicularly away from the axial direction (A), wherein the primary sealing lip (102) has an extension in the positive radial direction (R), wherein the primary sealing lip (102) has a pressure side in the direction of the axial direction (A), wherein the sealing ring (101) has grooves (150) extending in the radial direction (R), wherein the grooves (150) extend from the holding area (105) into the primary sealing lip (102).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a sealing ring, a hub cap system for fastening to a wheel hub of a vehicle, a hub cap system comprising a wheel hub and a hub cap system, and a vehicle, in particular a commercial vehicle.

[0002] Hub cap systems have, among other things, the task of protecting the interior of a wheel and / or wheel hub from the ingress of foreign bodies or particles and / or liquids, e.g. dirt or moisture. In order to achieve a better sealing effect, it is known from the prior art to provide sealing rings between the hub cap and the wheel hub in order to improve sealing against the ingress of foreign bodies. If the wheels are equipped with a tire pressure regulation system, the achieved sealing effect can, however, be potentially detrimental if compressed air gets into the wheel hub, for example due to a leak in the supply lines of the tire pressure regulation system. If the interior of the wheel hub is sealed to the outside, this can lead to the build-up of excess pressure, which in turn can cause damage to the hub system or even result in the hub cap being lost or detached.

[0003] US 5,217,137 A, DE 10 2014 207 179 A1 and EP 2 969 600 B1 each concern hub assemblies with sealing rings.

[0004] It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a sealing ring and a corresponding hub cap system with which, while providing sufficient sealing against the ingress of dirt or moisture, pressure equalization of the interior pressure in the wheel hub is possible in a simple manner and which enables the simplest and most cost-effective installation possible.

[0005] This object is achieved by a sealing ring according to claim 1, a hub cap system according to claim 7, a wheel hub system according to claim 8 and a vehicle according to claim 9. Further advantages and features emerge from the dependent claims as well as from the description and the figures.

[0006] According to the invention, a sealing ring comprising a holding region and a primary sealing lip, wherein the holding region is formed circumferentially around an axial direction, wherein a radial direction extends radially and perpendicularly away from the axial direction, wherein the primary sealing lip has an extension in the positive radial direction, wherein the primary sealing lip has a pressure side, in particular in the direction of the axial direction. The axial direction designates in particular a direction perpendicular to the surface spanned by the sealing ring. The axial direction or the central axis preferably runs through the center point of the sealing ring. The radial direction runs in particular from the center point or the central axis of the sealing ring or the axial direction radially outwards and / or perpendicular to the axial direction. The center of gravity of the sealing ring is preferably in the axial direction. A positive radial direction can be understood to mean a direction which runs from the center point orthe center axis of the sealing ring runs radially outwards, whereas a negative radial direction can be understood as a direction that points radially from the outside to the center point or to the center axis of the sealing ring. The sealing ring can have a substantially constant cross-section and / or a predominantly or partially constant cross-section, in particular in a direction transverse to the axial direction and transverse to the radial direction, therefore for example in a circumferential direction. In a cylindrical coordinate system, the circumferential direction can form the angular coordinate, the axial direction the axial coordinate and the radial direction the radial coordinate. In this context, substantially constant means in particular that the sealing ring has a constant cross-section apart from design-related deviations and / or grooves. Predominantly orConstant in sections can mean that the sealing ring has a substantially constant cross-section, but deviates from this constant cross-section in places, e.g. through at least one opening or a groove. Advantageously, the sealing ring can be formed in one piece. A one-piece design can enable a particularly reliable sealing effect and, if necessary, prevent assembly errors due to faulty assembly. For example, the sealing ring can be elastically pulled on at the location of its intended use. The sealing ring has a holding area, wherein the holding area in particular comprises a contact area of ​​the sealing ring, e.g. on a hub cap and / or on a wheel hub, and / or is designed to contact e.g. a hub cap and / or on a wheel hub. The holding area can be a base body which makes up or can make up the majority of the mass and / or volume of the sealing ring.The holding area can have an approximately rectangular cross-section, and / or the corners of the holding area can be rounded, for example, and / or the holding area can deviate from the rectangular cross-sectional shape on a side on which the primary sealing lip is arranged or formed and / or adjoins the holding area. The holding area and / or the sealing ring can comprise recesses, depressions and / or openings or through-holes, which can serve in particular to conduct and / or retain air. The holding area is arranged circumferentially around an axial direction and / or around a central axis of the sealing ring. The primary sealing lip can adjoin the holding area. Alternatively, the primary sealing lip can be spaced from the holding area. For example, a transition area can be provided between the holding area and the primary sealing lip. The primary sealing lip can preferably be elastic.The holding area and / or the primary sealing lip are expediently made of the same material. Advantageously, the holding area is materially connected to the primary sealing lip, whereby a particularly high mechanical load-bearing capacity and sealing effect can be achieved. A specified extension of the primary sealing lip can refer in particular to a relaxed, i.e. in particular non-elastically deformed, state of the primary sealing lip. An extension of the primary sealing lip refers in particular to an extension along the main extension or the longest extension of the primary sealing lip in a sectional plane spanned by the axial direction and the radial direction. The primary sealing lip can extend proportionally in a further direction in addition to the radial direction, e.g. in the axial direction. The extension of the primary sealing lip accordingly has at least one component in the radial direction.Optionally, the extension of the primary sealing lip can have a further component in a different direction. For example, the primary sealing lip can extend obliquely to the radial direction. A direction of extension of the primary sealing lip is measured in particular from its attachment to the other components of the sealing ring, in particular the holding area, to its distal end. An extension in a positive direction can mean that the primary sealing lip extends from its attachment to the sealing ring radially outwards away from the center point of the sealing ring or the axial direction or the center axis of the sealing ring. In particular, a distal end of the primary sealing lip can be further away from the center point of the sealing ring or the axial direction than the attachment of the primary sealing lip. The primary sealing lip can represent or form the distal end of the sealing ring in a first direction, in particular in the radial direction.The primary sealing lip can be designed to prevent the penetration of foreign bodies, in particular dirt and / or water, into the interior, in particular when the pressure in the interior is below a predetermined threshold pressure. Furthermore, the primary sealing lip can be designed to enable pressure relief by flexibly bending back when the pressure in the interior is above the predetermined threshold pressure. The bending back of the primary sealing lip can be caused in particular by the pressure in the interior. In other words, the primary sealing lip can be designed to effect a seal at normal pressure and to enable excess pressure compensation by flexibly bending back when a pressure threshold value is exceeded. The sealing effect of the primary sealing lip can be achieved in particular by the primary sealing lip bearing against a surface, e.g. a hub cap and / or a wheel hub.Advantageously, the sealing ring according to the invention can be used, for example, on the one hand to prevent the ingress of dirt and / or water, in particular through the primary sealing lip, and on the other hand, if necessary, to enable the venting of excess pressure, e.g. a leakage pressure, from an interior space, in particular through the primary sealing lip. The interior space is, in particular, the space whose fluid is adjacent to the pressure side of the sealing ring. In other words, the interior space is the space whose pressure acts on the pressure side of the sealing ring. The interior space can, in particular, be the interior of a wheel hub and / or a hub cap. The primary sealing lip surrounds, in particular, the axial direction. In other words, the primary sealing lip can form a ring around the axial direction. This makes it possible to achieve particularly good mechanical load-bearing capacity.

[0007] Advantageously, the primary sealing lip can extend from the retaining area. In other words, the primary sealing lip can be directly connected to the retaining area. This can result in a particularly simple and compact design of the sealing ring.

[0008] Advantageously, the primary sealing lip and / or the holding region and / or the sealing ring can be made of rubber and / or a plastic, in particular to a predominant extent, particularly preferably completely. Advantageously, the sealing ring can be made entirely of rubber and / or a plastic. To a predominant extent can mean that the sealing ring comprises, for example, a, in particular outer, protective layer and / or an inclusion and / or an external additive made of another material. Alternatively or additionally, the sealing ring can comprise an admixture of another material. To a predominant extent can in particular mean that the sealing ring is made of more than 50 percent, preferably more than 80 percent, rubber and / or a plastic, in particular with regard to the weight or the volume of the sealing ring.If other materials are added, so that the sealing ring consists of more than 50 percent rubber and / or plastic, the sealing ring can offer particularly good stability and / or protection against environmental influences. A construction made of more than 80 percent rubber and / or plastic can enable particularly good elasticity and / or tightness of the sealing ring. A construction made entirely of rubber and / or plastic can also enable relatively inexpensive and / or simple production.

[0009] Preferably, a deformation space is provided between the primary sealing lip and the holding region, wherein the deformation space is advantageously designed, in particular rotationally symmetrical, to encircle the axial direction.

[0010] The deformation space is, in particular, a free space. The deformation space can be used to provide a deformation option when pressure is applied to the primary sealing lip. The rotationally symmetrical design of the deformation space allows for particularly good mechanical load-bearing capacity.

[0011] The primary sealing lip expediently extends in both the axial and radial directions. In other words, the primary sealing lip can extend obliquely to both the axial and radial directions. This type of extension can enable the primary sealing lip to form a particularly good seal against a surface, e.g., a wheel hub. Advantageously, the primary sealing lip can extend substantially equally in the axial and radial directions, where "substantially" can mean a deviation of a maximum of 10 percent from a uniform extension in these two directions.It has been found that such a uniform design can, on the one hand, achieve a particularly good sealing effect and, on the other hand, opening of a venting path by elastic bending of the primary sealing lip can be achieved with only a slight bending, in particular less in comparison with a non-oblique orientation.

[0012] According to the invention, the sealing ring, particularly in the primary sealing lip, has grooves running in the radial direction. These grooves ensure that the pressure side of the primary sealing lip is pressurized. This applies in particular when the pressure side of the primary sealing lip partially rests against the wheel hub or another component. In particular, the groove runs at least substantially parallel to the radial direction. Therefore, the groove runs exclusively in the radial direction, except for manufacturing-related deviations. This allows a particularly short fluid path to be achieved and thus the pressure loss in the groove to be kept to a minimum.

[0013] According to the invention, the grooves extend from the holding area into the primary sealing lip and / or wherein the grooves preferably have a rounded groove base, in particular in a radial plane. By designing the grooves such that they extend, in particular each, from the holding area to the primary lip, it can be achieved in particular that particularly good fluid guidance is possible. Therefore, a sufficient flow cross-section is available for inflow and outflow. The groove base is in particular the base of the groove, hence the bottom of the groove. The groove base is advantageously rounded. This makes it possible to achieve a mechanically stable and resilient design - especially under dynamic loads. Advantageously, the center of curvature of the groove base - viewed in the axial direction - lies on the pressure side of the primary sealing lip.The radial plane is in particular a plane spanned by the axial direction and the radial direction.

[0014] Preferably, the grooves are arranged equidistant from one another in the circumferential direction. This allows for a uniform pressure distribution, since the grooves can serve as a type of flow channel. An equidistant arrangement is understood in particular to mean that the angular distance between the directly adjacent grooves is the same. Therefore, the grooves are all arranged at the same angular distance from the respective adjacent grooves.

[0015] The grooves are expediently arranged on the pressure side of the primary sealing lip. This allows the grooves to be used particularly advantageously to induce or promote venting in the event of overpressure on the pressure side, particularly by deforming the primary sealing lip.

[0016] Advantageously, the sealing ring has only one sealing lip or one circumferential sealing lip, namely the primary sealing lip. This allows for a particularly cost-effective design.

[0017] Preferably, the primary sealing lip is designed such that when pressure is applied to the pressure side, the primary sealing lip is deformed toward the holding area. In other words, the primary sealing lip can be designed such that when the pressure on the pressure side exceeds a threshold value, the primary sealing lip deflects this pressure by moving toward the holding area or a portion of the holding area.

[0018] Advantageously, the primary sealing lip defines the sealing ring in the radial direction. In other words, the primary sealing lip forms the distal end of the sealing ring in the radial direction. This allows for a particularly simple attachment of the sealing ring to a contact partner, in particular a wheel hub.

[0019] Advantageously, the holding area can have a bottom surface, wherein the bottom surface is preferably coaxial with the axial direction and / or preferably facing the center axis of the sealing ring. In other words, the bottom surface can have a normal in the radial direction. This allows for particularly good mounting of the holding area.

[0020] Advantageously, the primary sealing lip can be configured to extend completely around the axial direction. In particular, a cross-section transverse to the axial direction and the radial direction of the primary sealing lip can be constant. A configuration extending completely around the axial direction can enable simpler manufacturing. Furthermore, the sealing ring or primary sealing lip can thus be particularly mechanically resilient. Furthermore, a uniform release of excess pressure can be achieved by extending completely around the lip.

[0021] According to a further aspect of the invention, a hub cap system for fastening to a wheel hub of a vehicle, in particular a commercial vehicle, is provided, comprising a hub cap and a sealing ring as described herein. A commercial vehicle within the meaning of the invention is in particular a vehicle which has a permissible total weight of more than 3.5 t, preferably of more than 7.5 t and particularly preferably of more than 18 t. The commercial vehicle can in particular be a roadworthy and / or road-bound vehicle. Such a commercial vehicle can preferably be a trailer, in particular a semi-trailer. All advantages and features of the sealing ring can be transferred analogously to the hub cap system and vice versa. The sealing ring according to the invention can be used for ventilating an interior of the wheel hub and / or the hub cap orof a wheel in the event of excess pressure, in particular by means of the primary sealing lip, wherein the sealing ring simultaneously offers protection of the interior against dirt and / or water or other liquids, in particular with the aid of the primary sealing lip.

[0022] The hub cap advantageously has a compressed air feedthrough arrangement. This compressed air feedthrough arrangement serves to guide compressed air out of the interior of the hub cap. In particular, the flow channel of the compressed air feedthrough arrangement is arranged in an opening in the hub cap. Advantageously, the center point of this opening or of the or a flow channel of the compressed air feedthrough arrangement lies in the axial direction. The compressed air feedthrough arrangement therefore extends at least in particular from an inner side of the hub cap to an outer side of the hub cap. The compressed air feedthrough arrangement can have a connection for an air guiding device, in particular a hose. This connection can in particular have or be a thread. Advantageously, the direction of extension of the connection is aligned parallel to the radial direction. This can in particular save valuable installation space.The connector is designed to connect to the tire's interior, particularly using the air guide device. This creates a tire inflation system through which the tire can be filled with compressed air.

[0023] Advantageously, the hub cap can have a fastening region, in particular a groove, wherein the fastening region advantageously extends around the axial direction or central axis of the sealing ring, and / or wherein the fastening region is optionally advantageously designed to point away from the axial direction or a central axis of the sealing ring, and wherein the sealing ring, in particular the holding region of the sealing ring, is arranged on or in the fastening region. Pointing away from the axial direction can in particular mean that the fastening region is arranged on a side of the hub cap facing in the positive radial direction. The fastening region, in particular the groove, can advantageously serve to stabilize the arrangement of the sealing ring or to ensure or facilitate the correct arrangement of the sealing ring during installation.

[0024] Advantageously, the hub cap can have or at least partially enclose an interior space. In other words, at least one volume is provided inside the hub cap, which can serve as a storage location for compressed air energy or as a compressed air reservoir.

[0025] A further aspect of the invention can relate to a hub cap system. The hub cap system preferably has a wheel hub and / or a sealing ring as described above or below and / or a hub cap system as described above or below. Advantageously, the primary sealing lip rests against the wheel hub or can be placed against the wheel hub and / or the hub cap is reversibly secured to the wheel hub, in particular via a click closure. By the primary sealing lip resting against the wheel hub, fluid flow through the space between the wheel hub and the hub cap can be effectively prevented. In particular, this contact can be effected in such a way that the contact surface between the primary sealing lip and the wheel hub forms or can form a self-contained ring. As a result, fluid loss can be prevented, in particular completely.By attaching the hub cap to the wheel hub using a click fastener, particularly simple and quick installation can be achieved. In principle, installation can be carried out using any reversible fastening, although a click fastener can be installed particularly quickly and easily, in particular without tools. The click fastener has, in particular on the side of the hub cap, which can also basically (regardless of the embodiment) be referred to as a wheel cap, deformable, in particular in the axial direction, form-fitting means which interact or can interact with complementary form-fitting means on the assembly partner, in particular the wheel hub, in such a way that disassembly is prevented by a form-fitting manner. The complementary form-fitting means can be lugs and recesses.

[0026] The lugs can extend in the radial direction and form the distal end in the axial direction of the hub cap.

[0027] According to a further aspect of the invention, a vehicle, in particular a commercial vehicle, is provided, comprising a sealing ring as described herein, a hub cap system as described herein, and / or a wheel hub system as described herein. All advantages and features of the sealing ring, the hub cap system, and the wheel hub system can be transferred analogously to the vehicle and vice versa.

[0028] Individual features and embodiments mentioned above can be combined with one another and the advantages associated with the individual features also apply to a combination of these features.

[0029] Further advantages and features of the invention will become apparent from the following description of preferred embodiments of the subject matter of the invention with reference to the accompanying figures. The following description serves only to clarify the invention and should not be construed as limiting the appended claims to any one of the embodiments. Fig. 1 a sectional view of a wheel hub system according to an embodiment of the invention, Fig. 2 is a sectional view of a sealing ring arranged on a hub cap according to a first embodiment of the invention, and Fig. 3 an enlarged sectional view of a sealing ring.

[0030] In the Fig. 1 shows a sectional view of a wheel hub system. The wheel hub system comprises a hub cap 2 and a sealing ring 101 and a wheel hub 200. The sealing ring 101 is arranged in the space between the hub cap 2 and the wheel hub 200. The Fig. 1 The detail area shown with a dashed circle, which is also marked with Z, is in the Fig. 2. The hub cap 2 has a compressed air feedthrough arrangement 25 in a central opening, which has a flow channel extending along the axial direction A. The radial direction R points away from the axial direction A. The connection 28 of the compressed air feedthrough arrangement 25 extends in the radial direction R. The compressed air feedthrough arrangement 25 fluidically connects the connection 28 or its connection 28 with the interior of the axle and / or an axle stub, which can also be part of the wheel hub system.

[0031] In the Fig. 2 shows a detailed view of a section through a sealing ring 101, wherein a hub cap 2 and a wheel hub 200 are also cut simultaneously. The cutting plane is spanned by the radial direction R and the axial direction A. The sealing ring 101 is annularly formed around the axial direction A. The sealing ring 101 has a primary sealing lip 102, which rests and / or can rest against the wheel hub 200. In addition, the sealing ring 101 also has a holding area 105, which serves to fix the sealing ring 101 to the hub cap 200. In order to be able to exert pressure on the primary seal 102 and at the same time to be able to realize a high sealing effect through a large contact surface between the primary seal 102 and the wheel hub 200, the sealing ring 102 has grooves 150, which can extend in the radial direction R. The grooves 150 have a rounded groove base 152.

[0032] In the Fig. Figure 3 shows an isometric view of a sealing ring 101. The sealing ring 101, in turn, has a retaining region 105, which is integrally connected to the primary sealing lip 102. In the example shown, this integral connection has been achieved by integrally forming the primary sealing lip 102 with the retaining region 105. Both the primary sealing lip 102 and the retaining region 105 surround the axial direction A in an annular manner.

[0033] The one in the Fig. The sealing ring 101 shown in Figure 3 has a plurality of grooves 150 which are arranged equidistant from one another in a circumferential direction. List of reference symbols: 2 hub caps 25 Compressed air feedthrough arrangement 28 connection 101 Sealing ring 102 Primary sealing lip 105 Holding area 116 Deformation space 150 grooves 152 groove base 200 wheel hub A axial direction R Radial direction Z Detail area

Claims

[1] Sealing ring (101) comprising a retaining area (105) and a primary sealing lip (102), wherein the holding area (105) is formed around an axial direction (A), wherein a radial direction (R) extends radially and perpendicularly away from the axial direction (A), wherein the primary sealing lip (102) has an extension in the positive radial direction (R), wherein the primary sealing lip (102) has a pressure side in the direction of the axial direction (A), wherein the sealing ring (101) has grooves (150) extending in the radial direction (R), the grooves (150) extend from the holding area (105) to the primary sealing lip (102). [2] Sealing ring (101) according to claim 1, wherein a deformation space (116) is provided between the primary sealing lip (102) and the retaining area (105), wherein the deformation space (116) is advantageously formed in a rotationally symmetrical manner around the axial direction (A). [3] Sealing ring (101) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the primary sealing lip (102) extends in the axial direction (A) and in the radial direction (R). [4] Sealing ring (101) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the grooves (150) have a rounded groove base (152), in particular in a radial plane. [5] Sealing ring according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the grooves (150) are arranged on the pressure side of the primary sealing lip (102). [6] Sealing ring (101) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the primary sealing lip (102) is designed such that when pressure is applied to the pressure side, the primary sealing lip (102) is deformed to the holding area (105). [7] Hub cap system for attachment to a wheel hub of a vehicle, in particular a commercial vehicle, comprising a hub cap (2) and a sealing ring (101) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the hub cap (2) in particular has a compressed air feedthrough arrangement (25), wherein the compressed air feedthrough arrangement (25) extends in the axial direction (A). [8] Wheel hub system comprising a hub cap system according to claim 7 and a wheel hub (200), wherein the primary sealing lip (102) rests against or can be restrained against the wheel hub (200) and / or wherein the hub cap (2) is reversibly fixed to the wheel hub (200), in particular by means of a click closure. [9] Vehicle, in particular commercial vehicle, comprising a sealing ring (101) according to any one of claims 1 to 6 and / or a hub cap system according to claim 7 and / or a wheel hub system according to claim 8.

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