Wheel bearing arrangement and motor vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to a wheel bearing arrangement (1) for a vehicle wheel, - with a wheel flange (2) having an inner ring (3) of a rolling bearing (4), - with a hub bearing (7) having an outer ring (8) of the rolling bearing (4), wherein a ring groove (9) open towards the wheel flange (2) is arranged in the hub bearing (7), - with a sealing ring (10) which engages with a sealing section (11) in the ring groove (9), - wherein the sealing section (11) transitions via an arc (12) into a mounting section (13) over which the sealing ring (10) rests against a sealing surface (14) of the wheel flange (2). The essential element of the invention is that - that the sealing surface (14) of the wheel flange (2) transitions into a transition surface (15) running obliquely to the sealing surface (14), which in turn transitions via a groove into a hub ring (17) arranged axially offset (16) to it, - that the plant section (13) in a radially outer area (28) together with the transition surface (15) forms a water drainage channel (18).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a wheel bearing arrangement for a vehicle wheel, comprising a wheel flange having an inner ring of a rolling bearing, and a hub bearing having an outer ring of the rolling bearing, wherein an annular groove open towards the wheel flange is arranged in the hub bearing, according to the preamble of claim 1. The invention further relates to a motor vehicle with such a wheel bearing arrangement.

[0002] From JP 2017 - 106 604 A, a generic wheel bearing arrangement for a vehicle wheel is known, comprising a wheel flange with a rotatable inner ring of a rolling bearing. The known wheel bearing arrangement further includes a hub bearing with a stationary outer ring of the rolling bearing, wherein an annular groove open towards the wheel flange is arranged in the hub bearing. A sealing ring engages in this annular groove with a sealing section in the manner of a labyrinth seal, the sealing section transitioning via an arc into a contact section of the sealing ring, over which the sealing ring bears against a sealing surface of the wheel flange. The V-shaped channel formed here can, in principle, serve as a water drainage channel. However, the capacity or height of this channel depends on the degree of inclination and the length of the sealing section (sheet metal leg) and is also limited.To increase the capacity of the channel, the dovetail-shaped ring groove of the outer ring would have to be enlarged axially and / or radially, which would inevitably lead to an enlargement of the outer ring.

[0003] From DE 10 2013 015 911 A1, a wheel bearing for a motor vehicle is known, comprising an outer ring mountable in a wheel carrier of the vehicle and an inner ring connectable to a wheel hub. The wheel bearing further comprises a sealing cassette arranged between the outer ring and the inner ring, which includes a carrier plate connected to the outer ring and a rotor plate connected to the inner ring, between which an elastomer ring is arranged. The elastomer ring is attached to one of the plates and seals against the other plate by means of at least one sealing lip. Furthermore, an annular groove is formed on the side of the outer ring, with an end bent towards the outer ring extending into the annular groove in the axial direction of the rotor plate.

[0004] From DE 10 2017 100 122 A1 a wheel bearing device is known, comprising an outer ring, a wheel hub shaft, rolling elements, a seal attached to a vehicle-outside part of the outer ring, a rotatable centrifugal disc which is attached to the vehicle-outside part of the wheel hub shaft and is contacted by the seal, and a fixed centrifugal disc which is attached to a vehicle-outside outer circumference of the outer ring and is contacted by the seal.

[0005] From JP 2019 049 315 A, a sealing device on a bearing device is known, wherein the bearing device consists of an inner ring and an outer ring that can rotate coaxially relative to each other. The sealing device comprises three sealing elements that are attached to a mounting disc at least at two locations.

[0006] From DE 10 2018 105 560 A1, a sealing arrangement for a wheel bearing is known, comprising a first bearing part and a second bearing part integrally connected to a wheel bearing flange, between which rolling elements are guided. The sealing arrangement includes a support element connected to the first bearing part, on which an elastic element is provided, the elastic element having at least one sealing lip. The support element also has a mounting section connected to the first bearing part. Furthermore, the sealing arrangement includes a thrust element connected to the second bearing part, on which the at least one sealing lip is in rubbing contact. The wheel bearing flange has an axial projection that at least partially surrounds an axial projection of the first bearing part. An inner surface of the axial projection of the wheel bearing flange forms a seat for the thrust element.This should ensure a reliable sealing effect throughout the service life and an overall increased lifespan.

[0007] Generally, wheel bearing assemblies for vehicle wheels on motor vehicles have seals on both sides to prevent water ingress. These seals comprise, on the one hand, a sealing lip assembly fixed in an outer ring, and on the other hand, a rotating friction disc connected to an inner ring. For improved protection, this sealing arrangement requires a pre-sealing labyrinth, which ensures that only a small portion of the splash water can reach the sensitive sealing lips. A key principle of such a pre-labyrinth is to deflect any potential water ingress through a minimal gap as frequently as possible, thereby offering maximum resistance. On the inside of the vehicle, the pre-labyrinth is usually implemented in conjunction with a driveshaft, while on the opposite side of the vehicle, different sealing designs within the wheel bearing may be used.This also depends in particular on the extent to which a wheel flange can be incorporated into such a pre-labyrinth.

[0008] If such a wheel flange cannot be included in the wheel-side pre-labyrinth, the wheel-side seal is exposed to increased environmental influences, which has a detrimental effect on both the bearing performance and the service life of the bearing arrangement.

[0009] The present invention therefore deals with the problem of providing an improved or at least an alternative embodiment for a wheel bearing arrangement of the generic type, which in particular avoids the disadvantages known from the prior art.

[0010] This problem is solved according to the invention by the subject matter of independent claim 1. Advantageous embodiments are the subject matter of the dependent claims.

[0011] The present invention is based on the general concept of designing a rear surface of a wheel flange of a wheel bearing assembly, which cannot be incorporated into a wheel-side pre-labyrinth seal (thus exposing the wheel-side seal of a wheel bearing, for example a rolling bearing, to increased environmental influences), such that this rear surface, together with a sealing ring, forms a water drainage channel. This channel primarily ensures targeted water drainage and thereby prevents, or at least minimizes, water ingress into the wheel bearing. The wheel bearing assembly according to the invention for a vehicle wheel comprises the aforementioned wheel flange, which has an inner ring of a rolling bearing that is rotatable during operation. A hub bearing is also provided, which has an outer ring of the rolling bearing that is stationary during operation. The hub bearing has an annular groove open towards the wheel flange.A sealing ring engages with a sealing section in the manner of a labyrinth seal in this annular groove, this sealing section transitioning via an arc into a contact section where the sealing ring rests against a sealing surface of the wheel flange. To create the previously described and inventive water drainage channel, the sealing surface of the wheel flange transitions into a transition surface running obliquely to this sealing surface, which in turn transitions via a groove into a hub ring arranged axially offset from it. The contact section of the sealing ring, together with the transition surface, forms the previously described water drainage channel or water drainage trough in a radially outer region. This water drainage channel or...This water drainage channel allows even wheel flanges that cannot be integrated into a wheel-side pre-labyrinth seal to be drained away a large portion of any water that might penetrate the wheel bearing, thus effectively protecting the bearing from external environmental influences. This improved protection of the wheel bearing ensures reliable and smooth long-term operation of the vehicle wheel.

[0012] In contrast to the prior art, specifically JP 2017-106 604 A, the water drainage channel according to the present invention is independent of the outer ring or the radial groove width and / or the axial groove length of the ring groove, thus geometrically decoupling the function of the labyrinth seal and the water drainage channel. In JP 2017-106 604 A, these functions are interdependent, meaning, for example, that the groove in the outer ring cannot be reduced in size without affecting the cross-section of the channels.

[0013] In contrast to JP 2017-106 604 A, the invention does not require a complex dovetail-shaped ring groove in the outer ring (undercut groove) for the production of the water drainage channel.

[0014] Since, according to the present invention, the water drainage channel is open and not located internally in the area between the stationary outer ring and the rotating hub, the desired centrifugal action is not impaired or geometrically blocked radially outwards. This keeps any potential water or dirt accumulation outside the bearing body, i.e., away from the narrow gap between the sheet metal (sealing ring) and the ring groove.

[0015] In an advantageous embodiment of the wheel bearing arrangement according to the invention, the annular groove has parallel groove flanks that run horizontally when installed. This makes it possible to integrate the annular groove into the hub bearing relatively easily. The parallel groove walls and flanks, together with the sealing section of the sealing ring that engages therein when installed, create a reliable labyrinth seal.

[0016] In a particularly preferred embodiment of the wheel bearing arrangement according to the invention, the sealing ring has a C-shaped cross-section, with an inner curved section, the sealing section, and the contact section. This allows the sealing ring to be manufactured relatively easily and therefore cost-effectively, for example, as a bent sheet metal part. Theoretically, the sealing section can also be inclined slightly outwards towards the wheel flange, so that, for example, water flows outwards and downwards into the drainage channel due to gravity, thereby providing additional protection for the wheel bearing against water ingress.

[0017] In a further particularly preferred embodiment of the wheel bearing arrangement according to the invention, the sealing ring rests flat against the sealing surface of the wheel flange with its contact section and the inner curved section. In this case, the sealing surface of the wheel flange is thus designed to be complementary to a radially inner region of the contact section and the inner curved section, thereby creating a large sealing surface that seals the water drainage channel formed by the radially outer region of the contact section and the transition surface.

[0018] The sealing ring conveniently houses an inner seal that rests against an inner outer surface of the ring seal. For improved sealing of the wheel bearing, an additional inner seal can be provided alongside the sealing ring, which already forms a labyrinth seal with the annular groove on the hub bearing side. This inner seal rests against an inner outer surface of the annular groove and also, with further arms, against an inner surface of the sealing ring's contact section and the inner curved section of the sealing ring.

[0019] In a further advantageous embodiment of the wheel bearing arrangement according to the invention, the sealing ring is made of metal, in particular stainless steel. Alternatively, a different design made of a rust-free metal is also conceivable, whereby a rust-free material is essential due to frequent exposure to water. The stainless steel sealing ring design enables particularly high-quality manufacturing, which ensures a reliable long-term seal.

[0020] The present invention is further based on the general concept of equipping a motor vehicle with a wheel bearing arrangement described in the preceding paragraphs and thereby transferring the advantages described with regard to the wheel bearing arrangement to the motor vehicle. Specifically, these advantages lie in improved water drainage through the water drainage channel, which allows a large proportion of the water to be drained away before it even reaches a labyrinth seal formed by a sealing section and an annular groove. The improved water drainage, and thus the reduced water exposure, enables smooth-running bearing operation over the long term.

[0021] Further important features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the dependent claims, the drawings and the associated description of the figures based on the drawings.

[0022] It is understood that the features mentioned above and those to be explained below can be used not only in the combinations specified, but also in other combinations or individually, without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the claims. Components of a higher-level unit, such as a device, apparatus, or arrangement, mentioned above and those to be mentioned below, which are designated separately, can form separate parts or components of this unit or be integral areas or sections of this unit, even if this is depicted differently in the drawing.

[0023] Preferred embodiments of the invention are shown in the drawing and are explained in more detail in the following description, wherein identical reference numerals refer to identical or similar or functionally identical components.

[0024] Each schematically illustrates Fig. 1 a sectional view through a wheel bearing arrangement according to the invention, Fig. 2 another sectional view through the wheel bearing arrangement according to the invention, but without a sealing ring and without an internal seal.

[0025] According to the Fig. 1 and Fig. Figure 2 of the wheel bearing arrangement 1 according to the invention comprises a wheel flange 2 which has an inner ring 3 of a rolling bearing 4 with rolling elements 5 that is rotatable during operation. Wheel bolts (not shown) are inserted into the associated through-holes 6 of the wheel flange 2, via which a vehicle wheel (also not shown) can be screwed to the wheel flange 2 in a rotationally fixed manner. A hub bearing 7 is further provided, which has an outer ring 8 of the rolling bearing 4 that is stationary during operation, wherein an annular groove 9 open to the outside towards the wheel flange 2 is arranged in this hub bearing 7 (see in particular also the Fig. 2).

[0026] In addition, a sealing ring 10 is provided (compare Fig. 1), which engages in the annular groove 9 with a sealing section 11 in the manner of a labyrinth seal (compare Fig. 1) The sealing section 11 transitions via an arc 12 into a contact section 13, over which the sealing ring 10 bears tightly against a sealing surface 14 of the wheel flange 2. According to the invention, this sealing surface 14 of the wheel flange 2 transitions into a transition surface 15 running obliquely to the sealing surface 14, which in turn transitions via a groove into a hub ring 17 arranged axially offset 16 to it, in which the through-openings 6 are arranged. The contact section 13 of the sealing ring 10, together with the transition surface 15, forms a kind of water drainage channel 18 in a radially outer region 28, through which water can be drained away before entering the labyrinth seal formed by the annular groove 9 and the sealing section 11 of the sealing ring 10.This makes it possible to drain water at an early stage, so that it does not even reach the labyrinth seal, which means that the rolling bearing 4 is exposed to significantly less water compared to rolling bearings known from the prior art and is therefore exposed to significantly less environmental influences.

[0027] If one considers the Fig. 1 and Fig. 2. As can be seen, the annular groove 9 has parallel groove flanks 19 that run essentially horizontally in the installed state, so that in this case the sealing section 11 of the sealing ring 10 also runs horizontally in the installed state. Purely theoretically, it is of course also conceivable that the sealing section 11 of the sealing ring 10 is designed with a slight downward slope towards the water drainage channel 18, which would further impede water ingress into the labyrinth seal and further improve the sealing effect of the labyrinth seal.

[0028] The sealing ring 10 also has a C-shaped cross-section, with an inner curved section 20 (compare Fig. 1), the sealing section 11 and the installation section 13. With its installation section 13 and the inner curved section 20, the sealing ring 10 lies flat and tightly against the sealing surface 14 of the wheel flange 2. This ensures a reliable seal of the water drainage channel 18.

[0029] If one considers the Fig. 1. Further, it can be seen that the sealing ring 10 encloses an inner seal 21, which bears against an inner outer surface of the ring groove 9 with a radially outer arm 22. The radial direction 23 is in Fig. Figure 1 shows the inner seal 21. In addition to the radially outer arm 22, it has a radially inner arm 24, which abuts an inner surface of the inner curved section 20 of the sealing ring 10, and a middle arm 25, which abuts an inner surface of the contact section 13 of the sealing ring 10. The middle arm 25, together with the radially outer arm 22, forms a kind of water channel 18a, which makes it more difficult for water to enter the rolling bearing 4. The middle arm 25 is shaped accordingly. Fig. 1 is shown as an arm, but with the inner seal 21 not cut, the middle arm 25 forms a ring-shaped sealing contour.

[0030] The sealing ring 10 itself is made of metal, preferably stainless steel or a non-corrosive material, which ensures a reliable long-term seal for the rolling bearing 4.

[0031] The wheel bearing arrangement 1 according to the invention is used in a motor vehicle 26, thereby transferring the advantages of the wheel bearing arrangement 1 according to the invention to the motor vehicle 26. All in all, a reliable, structurally simple, and long-term leak-proof seal and long-term smooth-running bearing of a rolling bearing 4 can be achieved with the motor vehicle 26 according to the invention and with the wheel bearing arrangement 1 according to the invention. QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

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

[0000] JP 2017 - 106 604 A [0002, 0012, 0013] DE 10 2013 015 911 A1

[0003] DE 10 2017 100 122 A1

[0004] JP 2019 049 315 A

[0005] DE 10 2018 105 560 A1

[0006]

Claims

[1] Wheel bearing assembly (1) for a vehicle wheel, - with a wheel flange (2) having an inner ring (3) of a rolling bearing (4), - with a hub bearing (7) having an outer ring (8) of the rolling bearing (4), wherein a ring groove (9) open towards the wheel flange (2) is arranged in the hub bearing (7), - with a sealing ring (10) which engages in the annular groove (9) with a sealing section (11) in the manner of a labyrinth seal, - wherein the sealing section (11) transitions via an arc (12) into a mounting section (13) over which the sealing ring (10) rests against a sealing surface (14) of the wheel flange (2), characterized by , - that the sealing surface (14) of the wheel flange (2) transitions into a transition surface (15) running obliquely to the sealing surface (14), which in turn transitions via a groove into a hub ring (17) arranged axially offset to it (16), - that the plant section (13) in a radially outer area (28) together with the transition surface (15) forms a water drainage channel (18). [2] Wheel bearing arrangement (1) according to claim 1, characterized by , that the annular groove (9) has parallel groove flanks (19) which run horizontally in the installed state. [3] Wheel bearing arrangement (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by that the sealing section (11) engages horizontally in the annular groove (9) in the installed state. [4] Wheel bearing arrangement (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the sealing ring (10) has a C-shaped cross-section, with an inner curved section (20), the contact section (13) and the sealing section (11). [5] Wheel bearing arrangement (1) according to claim 4, characterized by , that the sealing ring (10) lies flat with its contact section (13) and the inner curved section (20) against the sealing surface (14) of the wheel flange (2). [6] Wheel bearing arrangement (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the sealing ring (10) encloses an inner seal (21). [7] Wheel bearing arrangement (1) according to claim 6, characterized by , that the inner seal (21) rests against an inner outer surface (27) of the annular groove (9) via a radially outer arm (22). [8] Wheel bearing arrangement (1) according to claim 7, characterized by , that the inner seal (21) has a radial inner arm (24) and a middle arm (25), wherein the radial outer arm (22) and the middle arm (25) form a further water drainage channel (18a). [9] Wheel bearing arrangement (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the sealing ring (10) is made of metal, in particular stainless steel. [10] Motor vehicle (26) with a wheel bearing arrangement (1) according to one of the preceding claims.

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