Sealing arrangement for sealing a wheel bearing

Abstract

The invention relates to a sealing arrangement for sealing a wheel bearing (1) of a vehicle, comprising a sealing unit (2) which is rotationally fixed to an outer ring (5) of the wheel bearing (1), and a centrifugal disc (3) which is rotationally fixed to an inner ring (4) or a wheel hub of the wheel bearing, wherein the centrifugal disc (3) has an axial part (3a) and a radial part (3b) adjoining it, wherein the sealing unit (2) has a sealing carrier (2a) and a sealing element (2b), and wherein the centrifugal disc (3) has an encoder (6) on at least one outer end face of the radial part (3b) which is configured to provide magnetic fields, wherein the inner ring (4) has a cylindrical seat (4a) for the centrifugal disc (3) and a step (4b) axially adjoining it, and wherein the encoder (6) has a radial extension (6a).which projects at least partially into the step (4b) of the inner ring (4), and wherein the radial extension (6a) has a recess (7).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a sealing arrangement for sealing a wheel bearing of a vehicle and a wheel bearing unit for a vehicle.

[0002] Seals for sealing wheel bearings are well known in the art. To seal wheel bearings, so-called cassette seals are used in the art. These are located between the outer and inner rings and are intended to prevent the penetration of dirt and water into the bearing. A further seal, the so-called interface seal, can be provided, particularly in the area of ​​the spur gear teeth between the wheel bearing and the joint bell. This is intended to protect the gear teeth. The interface seal is usually attached in the area of ​​the inner ring of the wheel hub. It is also known that an encoder is provided on the cassette seal, which provides signals, particularly in the form of magnetic fields, which are detected by a sensor and forwarded to a control unit for evaluation. The geometry of the encoder is usually adapted to the sensor position. One such known seal is, for example,shown in the publication DE 10 2018 118 880 A1.

[0003] Depending on the interfering contour of the sensor / speed sensor, it may be necessary to push the interface seal further into the bearing. This can prevent collision and increase bearing service life.

[0004] The object of the invention is therefore to create a wheel bearing unit and a sealing arrangement that has a long service life. Furthermore, it should be ensured that the interfering contour of the sensor does not collide with the interface seal.

[0005] The object is achieved according to the invention by a wheel bearing unit having the features of claim 1. Preferred embodiments of the invention emerge from the subclaims and the following description, which can each represent an aspect of the invention individually or in combination.

[0006] The sealing arrangement according to the invention for sealing a wheel bearing of a vehicle has a sealing unit which is connected in a rotationally fixed manner to an outer ring of the wheel bearing, and a flinger which is connected in a rotationally fixed manner to an inner ring or a wheel hub of the wheel bearing, wherein the flinger has an axial part and an adjoining radial part, wherein the sealing unit has a seal carrier and a sealing element, and wherein the flinger has an encoder on at least one outer end face of the radial part, which encoder is designed to provide magnetic fields, wherein the inner ring has a cylindrical seat for the flinger and a step axially adjoining thereto, wherein the encoder has a radial extension which projects at least partially into the step of the inner ring, characterized in that the radial extension has a recess.

[0007] The radial extension of the encoder refers to the area that extends into the step of the inner ring. The recess in the area of ​​the radial extension makes it possible to push an interface seal, which is intended to seal a spur gear between the wheel hub and the joint bell housing, further into the bearing interior. This separates the interfering contour of the speed sensor from the interface seal.

[0008] According to a preferred embodiment, the recess on the encoder is formed over the entire circumference. This means that the recess, e.g., in the form of a groove, extends continuously over the entire circumference.

[0009] Preferably, the recess is provided at the radial end of the radial extension of the encoder. The interface seal is located in this area, which preferably has a leg configured to correspond to the recess.

[0010] Particularly preferably, the radial extension of the encoder rests against the inner ring. For this purpose, an additional axial sealing lip can preferably be provided on the extension. The tight contact in this area can prevent corrosion on the inner ring. Alternatively, it would be conceivable for the encoder to form a gap in the area between the radial extension and the inner ring.

[0011] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the encoder extends over the entire outer end face of the centrifugal disc and has an axial extension extending toward the sealing unit. The axial extension of the encoder preferably connects directly to the radial part of the centrifugal disc. By providing the axial extension, the ingress of dirt and water into the seal can be better prevented.

[0012] The invention further relates to a wheel bearing unit for a vehicle, comprising a rotatable inner ring and a stationary outer ring, wherein a plurality of rolling elements are arranged between the inner ring and the outer ring, wherein a sealing arrangement as defined above is provided for sealing a wheel bearing.

[0013] Preferably, the encoder interacts with an interface seal, particularly in the area of ​​the radial extension.

[0014] The interface seal preferably has a radial leg extending toward the encoder, which interacts with the recess of the encoder. The radial leg of the interface seal preferably forms a sealing fit against the recess of the encoder's radial extension. This prevents corrosion of the inner ring.

[0015] The invention will be explained below by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings using preferred embodiments, wherein the features presented below can represent an aspect of the invention both individually and in combination. They show: Fig. 1 a schematic representation of a part of a wheel bearing according to the prior art Fig. 2 a schematic representation of a part of a wheel bearing according to the invention

[0016] Fig. Figure 1 shows a schematic representation of part of a wheel bearing 1 according to the prior art. A sealing arrangement comprising a sealing unit 2 and a centrifugal disc 3 is provided for sealing the wheel bearing. The sealing unit 2 consists of a seal carrier 2a and a sealing element 2b connected thereto. The sealing unit 2 is connected in a rotationally fixed manner to an outer ring 5 of the wheel bearing. As shown in Fig. 1, the centrifugal disc 3 is pressed onto an inner ring 4. The inner ring has a cylindrical press fit 4a for this purpose. The inner ring 4 also has a step 4b. The step 4b is axially adjacent to the cylindrical press fit 4a. The step 4b is understood to be a diameter reduction of the inner ring 4, as can also be seen from Fig. 1. An interface seal 9 is attached to the step. For this purpose, the interface seal 9 has a cylindrical region 9b, which is pressed at least partially onto the inner ring, in particular onto the step 4b. The interface seal 9 seals a (not shown in detail) area of ​​a spur gear toothing. For this purpose, the interface seal 9 has a sealing lip 9d on the axial end, which sealingly engages a joint bell (also not shown). It can be seen in the prior art that the radial leg 9a rests against the radial extension on the encoder and is thus arranged axially outside the outer ring end face. In Fig. 1, the radial extension on the encoder also has a sealing projection that engages the radial leg 9a of the interface seal 9. In both cases, the interface seal thus enters the area of ​​the speed sensor, which can lead to a collision and thus damage to the speed sensor or the interface seal. This impairs the bearing function and speed detection.

[0017] In Fig. Figure 2 shows an embodiment of the invention in which the problem described above is to be avoided. The basic structure of the wheel bearing unit including the sealing arrangement is similar to the structure in Fig. 1. A sealing unit 2 is attached to the outer ring 5, which essentially consists of a seal carrier 2a and the sealing element 2b connected to it.

[0018] The flinger is pressed onto the inner ring 4 via the axial part 3a. The inner ring 4 has a step 4b axially adjoining the press fit 4a. The step 4b is essentially realized by a reduction in diameter compared to the press fit 4a. The encoder 6 is provided on the outer end face of the flinger. The encoder 6 extends into the step 4b of the inner ring. For this purpose, the encoder 6 has a radial extension 6a that is integrally connected to the encoder. A recess 7 is provided in the area of ​​the radial extension 6a. The recess 7 is preferably provided in the end region of the encoder and essentially consists of a reduction in the width or wall thickness. The wall thickness of the encoder in the region of the recess 7 is preferably less than half the wall thickness of the encoder in the region of the centrifugal disc 3. The wall thickness of the encoder in the region of the centrifugal disc 3 is assumed to be average. The recess 7 thus reduces the wall thickness of the encoder by approximately half. The wall thickness in the region of the recess 7 is preferably less than 0.5 mm.

[0019] The recess 7 makes it possible for a radial leg 9a of the interface seal, which corresponds to the recess 7, to come into sealing contact with the encoder on the one hand (thereby preventing corrosion) and, on the other hand, for the interface seal 9 to be displaced further into the interior of the bearing (and thus does not represent a collision with the sensor). Particularly preferably, the radial leg 9a of the interface seal is flush with the outer surface of the encoder 6. Preferably, a gap S can be provided axially between the radial extension 6a of the encoder 6 and the inner ring 4. However, it would also be conceivable for the radial leg 9a of the interface seal 9 to press against the radial extension 6a on the encoder 6 in such a way that the radial extension 9a bears sealingly against the end face of the inner ring. Particularly preferably, the recess 7 is implemented in the form of a groove which extends over the circumference of the encoder.Furthermore, the recess 7 can also extend radially over the area of ​​the radial extension 6a of the encoder 6. List of reference symbols 1 wheel bearing 2 Sealing unit 2a Seal carrier 2b Sealing element 3 centrifugal disc 3a Axial part 3b Radial part 4 inner ring 4a Cylindrical seat 4b level 5 Outer ring 6 encoders 6a Radial extension 6b Axial extension 7 Recess 8 rolling elements 9 Interface seal 9a Radial limb 9b Cylindrical area 9c End area 9d Additional sealing element S gap A Axial direction R Radial direction QUOTES CONTAINED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents submitted by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the convenience of the reader. This list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] DE 10 2018 118 880 A1

[0002]

Claims

[1] Sealing arrangement for sealing a wheel bearing (1) of a vehicle, comprising a sealing unit (2) which is connected in a rotationally fixed manner to an outer ring (5) of the wheel bearing (1), and a centrifugal disc (3) which is connected in a rotationally fixed manner to an inner ring (4) or a wheel hub of the wheel bearing, wherein the centrifugal disc (3) has an axial part (3a) and an adjoining radial part (3b), wherein the sealing unit (2) has a seal carrier (2a) and a sealing element (2b), and wherein the centrifugal disc (3) has an encoder (6) on at least one outer end face of the radial part (3b), which encoder is designed to provide magnetic fields, wherein the inner ring (4) has a cylindrical seat (4a) for the centrifugal disc (3) and a step (4b) axially adjoining thereto, wherein the encoder (6) has a radial extension (6a) which at least partially protrudes into the step (4b) of the inner ring (4), 。characterized by that the radial extension (6a) has a recess (7). [2] Sealing arrangement according to claim 1, characterized by that the recess (7) is formed over the entire circumference. [3] Sealing arrangement according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by that the recess (7) is provided radially at the end of the radial extension (6a). [4] Sealing arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the radial extension (6a) lies sealingly against the inner ring (4). [5] Sealing arrangement according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized by that the encoder (6) forms a gap (S) in the area between the radial extension (6a) and the inner ring (4). [6] Sealing arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat the encoder (6) extends over the entire outer end face of the centrifugal disc (3) and has an axial extension (6b) which extends in the direction of the sealing unit (2). [7] Wheel bearing unit for a vehicle, comprising a rotatable inner ring (4) and a stationary 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 arrangement is provided for sealing a wheel bearing, wherein the sealing arrangement is designed according to one of claims 1 to 6. [8] Wheel bearing unit according to claim 7, characterized by that the encoder (6) interacts with an interface seal (9), particularly in the region of the radial extension (6a). [9] Wheel bearing unit according to claim 8, characterized bythat the interface seal (9) interacts with the recess (7) of the encoder (6) by means of a radial leg (9a) extending in the direction of the encoder (6). [10] Wheel bearing unit according to claim 9, characterized by that the radial leg (9a) of the interface seal (9) lies sealingly against the recess (7) of the radial extension (6a) of the encoder (6).

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