Rolling bearing arrangement with a sealing arrangement

Abstract

Rolling bearing arrangement (1), with a first ring (2) and a second ring (3) forming a rolling element chamber (4) in which a plurality of rolling elements (5) are arranged, and with a sealing arrangement (6) for sealing the rolling element chamber (4), with an L-shaped sealing protector (7) which is connected to a first leg (8) in a penetration section of the first or second ring (2, 3) and to a second leg (9) which is arranged radially in front of the sealing arrangement (6) and at its free end is in contact, sliding and / or non-contact with the second or first ring (3, 2).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a rolling bearing arrangement with a sealing arrangement for sealing the rolling element space in which a plurality of rolling elements are arranged between a first and a second ring.

[0002] Rolling bearing assemblies are used in various technical fields to support relative rotation or translation between two parts. It is often necessary to protect the rolling element space from the ingress of dirt, moisture, or other harmful media in order to increase the service life and performance of the rolling element bearing assembly. For this purpose, sealing assemblies are typically used. These are mounted at one or both ends of the rolling element space and interact with the rings of the rolling element bearing assembly.

[0003] The state of the art includes various types of sealing arrangements, such as lip seals, gap seals, or labyrinth seals. However, these sealing arrangements have several disadvantages, such as high frictional resistance, low adaptability to radial or axial displacement, or insufficient sealing effectiveness at high speeds or pressure differences.

[0004] Rolling bearings and seals are essential components for large machinery such as construction vehicles or agricultural machinery that operate under harsh conditions such as dust, mud, water, or rockfall. These factors can damage or permeate the seals, leading to increased wear and reduced bearing service life. Therefore, there is a constant need for effective and reliable sealing solutions that protect the rolling element space from the ingress of harmful media without compromising bearing performance. Furthermore, the sealing solutions should be easy to install and maintain to reduce costs and downtime.

[0005] The invention therefore provides an improved rolling bearing assembly with a sealing arrangement that offers, in particular, high sealing effectiveness with low frictional resistance and high flexibility. The invention is based on the concept of using an L-shaped seal protector, which is connected to a first leg in a recessed section of the first or second ring and to a second leg that is arranged radially in front of the sealing arrangement and rests at its free end against the second or first ring in a contacting, sliding, and / or non-contacting manner. The L-shaped seal protector thus forms an additional barrier to the penetration of harmful media into the rolling element space. The rolling bearing assembly is also particularly easy to manufacture and durable.

[0006] The invention relates to a rolling bearing assembly comprising a first ring, a second ring, a plurality of rolling elements, and a sealing assembly. The rolling bearing assembly is suitable for use in large machines such as construction vehicles or agricultural machinery that operate under harsh conditions such as dust, mud, water, or rockfall. The invention therefore provides an improved rolling bearing assembly with a sealing assembly that, in particular, offers high sealing effectiveness with low frictional resistance and high flexibility.

[0007] The first ring and the second ring are circular elements that can rotate relative to each other. For example, the first ring can be attached to a rotating shaft, while the second ring is fixed to a stationary housing. The first ring and the second ring form a rolling element space, which is an annular cavity between the two rings. A plurality of rolling elements are arranged in the rolling element space and act as rolling elements between the first ring and the second ring. The rolling elements can have various shapes, such as spheres, cylinders, cones, or needles. The rolling elements reduce the friction between the first ring and the second ring and enable low-friction rotational movement of the rolling bearing assembly.

[0008] The sealing arrangement is a device that protects the rolling element space from the ingress of harmful media such as dust, mud, water, or stone chips. The sealing arrangement can contain various types of sealing elements, such as lip seals, gap seals, or labyrinth seals. The sealing arrangement is mounted on one or both sides of the rolling element space and extends radially outward from the first ring and / or the second ring. The sealing arrangement prevents harmful media from penetrating the rolling element space and damaging or contaminating the rolling elements. The sealing arrangement thus increases the service life and performance of the rolling bearing assembly.

[0009] The invention is based on the concept of using an L-shaped seal protector, which is connected to a first leg in a recessed section of the first or second ring and to a second leg arranged radially in front of the seal assembly and rests at its free end against the second or first ring in a contacting, sliding, and / or non-contacting manner. The L-shaped seal protector thus forms an additional barrier to the penetration of harmful media into the rolling element space. The L-shaped seal protector preferably forms a disc-shaped and / or annular element.

[0010] The puncture section is an annular recess. The puncture section preferably forms a substantially axial recess and / or is arranged on an axial outer side of the first or second ring. The puncture section can have various shapes, such as a groove, a channel, or a bore. The first leg of the L-shaped seal protector is inserted or fitted into the puncture section and forms a firm connection with the first or second ring. The first leg is held in the puncture section in a form-fitting, force-fitting, friction-fitting, and / or material-fitting manner. The first leg can, for example, be made of a flexible material such as rubber, plastic, or metal that adapts to the puncture section. In particular, the first and second legs enclose an angle of between 70 and 110 degrees; these are preferably perpendicular to one another.

[0011] The second leg of the L-shaped seal protector extends from the first leg in a radial direction, i.e. perpendicular to the axis of the rolling bearing assembly. The second leg is arranged radially in front of the seal assembly, i.e. between the seal assembly and the surrounding medium. The second leg has, in particular, a contact surface at its free end which bears against the second or first ring. The contact surface can have different types of contact, such as touching, sliding or non-contact contact. Touching contact means that the contact surface is constantly pressed against the second or first ring. Sliding contact means that the contact surface slides along the second or first ring during a relative movement between the first ring and the second ring.Non-contact means that the contact surface is at a small distance from the second or first ring, but smaller than the distance between the first ring and the second ring. The second leg can be made of a rigid or elastic material such as metal, plastic, or rubber, which has high wear and pressure resistance.

[0012] The L-shaped seal protector fulfills several functions that increase the sealing effectiveness of the rolling bearing assembly. The L-shaped seal protector protects the seal assembly from direct contact with the surrounding medium, which may contain harmful media such as dust, mud, water, or stone chips. The L-shaped seal protector thus acts as a shield or screen for the seal assembly, extending its service life. Furthermore, the L-shaped seal protector can be designed to create an additional pressure or suction gradient in the gap between the first ring and the second ring, preventing or reducing the penetration of harmful media into the rolling element space. This effect depends on the type of contact between the contact surface and the second or first ring. If the contact surface has a touching or sliding contact, a pressure gradient is created that pushes the surrounding medium away from the gap.When the contact surface is in non-contact contact, a suction gradient is created that draws the surrounding medium into the gap. This effect can be enhanced by appropriately shaping the second leg, for example, by making the second leg angled or wedge-shaped. The L-shaped seal protector thus increases the sealing effectiveness of the rolling bearing assembly without increasing frictional resistance. The rolling bearing assembly is also particularly easy to manufacture and durable. The L-shaped seal protector can, for example, be manufactured from a single material in a single step without the need for additional parts or tools. The L-shaped seal protector can also be easily mounted on or replaced with the first or second ring without having to disassemble the rolling bearing assembly.The L-shaped sealing protection also has a high resistance to mechanical or thermal stress and requires no special maintenance or care.

[0013] The invention thus provides an improved rolling bearing assembly with a sealing arrangement that, in particular, offers high sealing effectiveness with low frictional resistance and high flexibility. The invention is based on the concept of using an L-shaped seal protector, which is connected to a first leg in a recessed section of the first or second ring and to a second leg that is arranged radially in front of the sealing arrangement and rests at its free end against the second or first ring in a contacting, sliding, and / or non-contacting manner. The L-shaped seal protector thus forms an additional barrier to the penetration of harmful media into the rolling element space. The rolling bearing assembly is also particularly easy to manufacture and durable.

[0014] The rolling bearing assembly has the advantage that the L-shaped seal protector can be attached to the first or second ring in various orientations, depending on the design requirements or spatial conditions. However, a preferred embodiment is one in which the first leg of the L-shaped seal protector extends substantially axially and the second leg extends radially. This orientation enables optimal coverage of the seal assembly in front of the rolling element space and an effective contact surface between the free end of the second leg and the second or first ring. The axial first leg can also serve as a stiffener for the radial second leg to increase its stability.

[0015] Particularly preferably, the first ring forms an outer ring and the second ring forms an inner ring. In one embodiment, the outer ring has the recessed section on one axial side, wherein the first leg is fastened in the recessed section and / or runs essentially axially, wherein the second leg is directed radially inwards, in other words is oriented from the outer ring to the inner ring. In a further embodiment, the inner ring has the recessed section on one axial side, wherein the first leg is fastened in the recessed section and / or runs essentially axially, wherein the second leg is directed radially outwards, in other words is oriented from the inner ring to the outer ring.

[0016] The seal protector can be made of various materials that have suitable mechanical and thermal properties as well as good corrosion resistance. However, an advantageous embodiment is one in which the seal protector is based on a metallic material. The metallic material can be, for example, steel, aluminum, titanium, or an alloy thereof. The seal protector preferably also has greater rigidity than the sealing arrangement to ensure better sealing and a longer service life. The sealing arrangement can, for example, be based on an elastomeric or plastic-based material, which offers a certain degree of flexibility and adaptability but is also subject to greater wear.

[0017] The seal protector not only serves as an additional seal for the rolling element chamber, but also acts as a flinger, protecting the rolling element chamber from stone chips, contamination, and / or external forces. The flinger prevents foreign matter or media from penetrating or accumulating in the rolling element chamber by deflecting them away from the circumference of the rolling bearing assembly through centrifugal force. The flinger can be particularly useful in applications that subject the rolling bearing assembly to high rotational speeds or high impact loads, such as wind turbines, agricultural machinery, or construction machinery.

[0018] The flinger should have sufficient strength and durability to withstand the loads encountered. A preferred embodiment is therefore one in which the flinger has a material thickness of at least 2 mm. The material thickness can be varied depending on the selected material, the size of the rolling bearing assembly, or the type of load, but generally should not be too small to prevent deflection or breakage of the flinger, nor too large to cause excessive weight or increased friction.

[0019] A further improvement in the sealing of the rolling element chamber can be achieved by incorporating a plastic section of the seal protector at the free end of the second leg, which provides better sealing against the ingress of water, dirt, or other foreign matter. For example, the plastic section can be made of a softer or more elastic material than the metallic material of the L-shaped seal protector to ensure better adaptation to the shape and surface of the bearing ring. The plastic section can also have higher wear resistance or lower friction to improve the service life and performance of the rolling bearing assembly.

[0020] The attachment of the seal protector to the bearing ring can be optimized by arranging the first section of the seal protector in the recessed section with a positive, non-positive, or material fit to ensure a secure connection between the seal protector and the bearing ring. The positive arrangement can be achieved, for example, by a suitable shape of the first leg and the recessed section, which engage or hook into each other. The non-positive arrangement can be achieved, for example, by a suitable tension or preload of the first leg, which creates sufficient adhesion or friction between the first leg and the recessed section.The material-locking arrangement can be achieved, for example, by a suitable bonding, welding or fusing of the first leg with the puncture section, which forms a permanent or non-detachable connection between the plastic section and the puncture section.

[0021] The stability of the seal protector can be further increased by pressing the first leg of the L-shaped seal protector into the recessed section to achieve additional stabilization of the seal protector. Pressing can be achieved, for example, by applying suitable force or heating the first leg, causing plastic or elastic deformation of the first leg, allowing for better adaptation to the recessed section. Pressing can also increase the strength or rigidity of the first leg by increasing the stress or density of the material. Finally, pressing can also improve the sealing or protection of the rolling element space by eliminating or reducing possible gaps or crevices between the first leg and the recessed section.

[0022] The sealing of the rolling element space can be further improved by the sealing arrangement comprising at least one sealing lip that bears against the first or second ring and / or the seal protector to achieve better contact and a better sealing effect. The sealing lip can, for example, be designed to deform or move depending on the speed or temperature of the bearing in order to regulate or optimize the sealing gap. The sealing lip can also be designed to exert a specific contact pressure or preload on the bearing ring or the seal protector in order to increase or decrease the sealing force.

[0023] The sealing lip can be made of an elastic material that allows for good adaptation to the surface of the bearing ring or seal protector. The elastic material can be, for example, a rubber, a plastic, an elastomer, or a similar material that offers high flexibility and extensibility. The elastic material can also be highly resistant to wear, aging, corrosion, or chemical influences to ensure the service life and reliability of the sealing lip. Finally, the elastic material can also exhibit low friction or low heat generation to improve energy efficiency or the cooling of the rolling bearing assembly.

[0024] The sealing arrangement can be further differentiated by comprising two or more sealing lips that perform different functions, such as lubricant pressure equalization, dirt rejection, or noise reduction. The two or more sealing lips can, for example, have different shapes, sizes, orientations, or positions to achieve optimal sealing for various operating conditions or environmental conditions. The two or more sealing lips can also have different materials, hardness levels, surface structures, or coatings to achieve optimal adaptation, adhesion, wear resistance, or lubrication properties. Finally, the two or more sealing lips can also be controlled or regulated differently to achieve optimal sealing performance, service life, or energy savings.

[0025] The seal protection can be further adapted in that the seal protection, in particular the first and / or the second leg, is designed to be continuous in the circumferential direction or has one or more interruptions, for example to enable fluid drainage or ventilation of the rolling element chamber. The continuous design can, for example, ensure high stability or rigidity of the seal protection, which can withstand high stress or load. The continuous design can also ensure a high sealing effect or high protection of the rolling element chamber, which can prevent the penetration or escape of fluid, dirt or other foreign bodies. The one or more interruptions can, for example, be designed as openings, slots, holes or recesses, which enable regulated or controlled fluid drainage or ventilation of the rolling element chamber.

[0026] Further advantages, effects, and configurations are evident from the attached figures and their descriptions. They show: Fig. 1 an axial plan view of a rolling bearing arrangement; Fig. 2 a section through the rolling bearing arrangement; Fig. 3 a partially exploded view of the rolling bearing arrangement; Fig. 4 a detailed section of the rolling bearing arrangement from Fig. 2; Fig. 5 a detailed section of the rolling bearing arrangement from Fig. 4;

[0027] Fig. 1 shows an axial plan view of the rolling bearing arrangement 1. In this view, the first ring 2 and the second ring 3 are visible, which together form a rolling element chamber 4 ( Fig. 2) in which a plurality of rolling elements 5 are arranged. The rolling element chamber 4 is sealed by the sealing arrangement 6, which was specifically designed to prevent the ingress of contaminants while simultaneously ensuring efficient lubrication of the rolling elements.

[0028] The seal protector 7 is L-shaped and consists of a first leg 8 and a second leg 9. The first leg 8 is connected in a recessed section 10 of the first ring 2 or the second ring 3 and ensures the firm anchoring of the seal protector 7. The second leg 9 is arranged radially in front of the seal arrangement 6 and rests at its free end either in contact, sliding, or non-contact with the second ring 3. This arrangement ensures that the seal protector 7 is flexible and adaptable to meet different operating conditions.

[0029] A section along AA is in Fig. 2. This section provides a cross-sectional view of the rolling bearing assembly 1 and shows the precise positioning and connection of the various components. Section AA clearly shows how the seal assembly 6 and the seal protector 7 are integrated within the rolling bearing assembly 1 and interact with each other.

[0030] Fig. 3 shows a partial exploded view of the rolling bearing arrangement 1 from Fig. 1, wherein the seal protector 7 is shown separated from the rest of the rolling bearing assembly 1. This illustration clearly shows that the seal protector 7 is annular and forms a slinger. The second leg 9 of the seal protector 7 forms a radial annular surface, while the first leg 8 forms an axial annular surface. In other words, the first leg 8 complements the annular structure formed by the second leg 9 as a flange, collar, or projection.

[0031] The exploded view in Fig. Figure 3 shows how the seal protector 7 is positioned relative to the rolling element chamber 4 and the seal assembly 6. The first leg 8 is connected in a recessed section 10 of the first ring 2 and ensures the firm anchoring of the seal protector 7. The second leg 9 is arranged radially in front of the seal assembly 6 and rests at its free end against the second ring 3 either in contact, sliding, or non-contact fashion.

[0032] This detailed illustration shows that the seal protector 7 was specifically designed to prevent contaminants from entering the rolling element chamber 4 while ensuring efficient lubrication of the rolling elements 5. This highlights the flexibility and adaptability of the seal protector 7 under various operating conditions.

[0033] Fig. 4 shows a detail of Fig. 2, which shows the two rings 2, 3, the sealing assembly 6, and the seal protector 7 in detail. The sealing assembly 6 comprises a cassette construction with three sealing lips. These sealing lips of the sealing assembly 6 are attached to the first ring 2 via a fastener 11 and are oriented radially inward to ensure effective sealing.

[0034] The seal protector 7 is designed such that its second leg 9 extends radially beyond the opening or gap 12 between the first ring 2 and the second ring 3. The second ring 3 has a special recess 13, e.g., a milled recess, on its axial surface and / or radially outward. The free end of the second leg 9 is precisely received in this recess 13. This leads to the formation of an L-shaped gap and / or a labyrinth between the second ring 3 and the free end of the second leg 9.

[0035] This design effectively prevents dirt from entering the rolling element chamber 4. The L-shaped gap or labyrinth between the second ring 3 and the second leg 9 helps prevent contaminants from penetrating the sensitive area of ​​the rolling bearing assembly 1. At the same time, this arrangement ensures optimal lubrication of the rolling elements 5, which contributes to the longevity and efficiency of the entire rolling bearing assembly 1.

[0036] Fig. 5 shows a detail of Fig.4, which shows the sealing arrangement 6 and the seal protector 7 in detail. The sealing arrangement 6 comprises an L-shaped contact area 14, which is attached to the second ring 3 and extends radially outward. This contact area 14 can be made of metal or plastic and is rigid. The contact area 14 and the sealing lips 15 or the fastening means 11 are rotatable relative to one another.

[0037] Two lips of the sealing arrangement 6 rest against the contact area 14: one against the axial part 16 and one against the radial part 17. The radial part 17 of the contact area 14 is directed from the second ring 3 to the first ring 2, i.e., from the inside out. The second leg 9 of the seal protector 7 is oriented from the first ring 2 to the second ring 3, i.e., from the outside in. They are thus oriented in opposite directions. A narrow gap 12, or labyrinth, is formed from the outside of the rolling bearing arrangement 1 to the rolling element space 4, which runs between the second leg 9, the second ring 3, and the contact area 14. This protects against the ingress of dirt and mechanical damage.

Claims

[1] Rolling bearing arrangement (1), with a first ring (2) and a second ring (3) forming a rolling element chamber (4) in which a plurality of rolling elements (5) are arranged, and with a sealing arrangement (6) for sealing the rolling element chamber (4), with an L-shaped sealing protection (7) which is connected to a first leg (8) in a puncture section of the first or second ring (2, 3) and with a second leg (9) which is arranged radially in front of the sealing arrangement (6) and which bears at its free end against the second or first ring (3, 2) in a contacting, sliding and / or contact-free manner. [2] Rolling bearing arrangement (1) according to claim 1, characterized by that the first leg (8) of the L-shaped sealing protection (7) extends substantially axially and the second leg (9) extends radially. [3] Rolling bearing arrangement (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized bythat the L-shaped sealing protection (7) is based on a metallic material and / or has a higher rigidity than the sealing arrangement (6). [4] Rolling bearing arrangement (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the L-shaped seal protection (7) forms a centrifugal disc which protects the rolling element space against stone chipping, contamination and / or external forces. [5] Rolling bearing arrangement (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the centrifugal disc has a material thickness of at least 2 mm to ensure sufficient strength and durability. [6] Rolling bearing arrangement (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the sealing protection (7) at the free end of the long section (9) comprises a plastic section which enables better sealing against the ingress of water, dirt or other foreign bodies. [7] Rolling bearing arrangement (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the first section (8) of the plastic section is arranged in a form-fitting, force-fitting or material-fitting manner in the recess section in order to ensure a firm connection between the seal protection (7) and the bearing ring (2, 3). [8] Rolling bearing arrangement (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the first leg (8) of the L-shaped sealing protection (7) is pressed into the puncture section in order to achieve additional stabilization of the sealing protection (7). [9] Rolling bearing arrangement (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the sealing arrangement (6) comprises at least one sealing lip which bears against the bearing ring (2, 3) or against the seal protection (7). [10] Rolling bearing arrangement (1) according to claim 9, characterized bythat the sealing lip is made of an elastic material which allows a good adaptation to the surface of the bearing ring (2, 3) or the seal protection (7). [11] Rolling bearing arrangement (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the sealing arrangement (6) comprises two or more sealing lips which fulfil different functions, such as lubricant pressure compensation, dirt repellency or noise reduction. [12] Rolling bearing arrangement (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the seal protection (7), in particular the second leg (9), is continuous in the circumferential direction or has one or more interruptions which enable fluid to drain away or ventilation of the rolling element space. [13] Rolling bearing arrangement (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat the seal protector (7) has a first leg (8) which extends radially inwards and carries a sealing lip which engages with the bearing ring (2, 3), and a second leg (9) which extends axially outwards and forms a distance from the bearing ring (2, 3). [14] Rolling bearing arrangement (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the seal protection (7) is made of a metallic material which has high rigidity and wear resistance, or of a plastic material which offers low friction and good thermal insulation.

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