Seal member and bearing device

Abstract

To provide a seal member which can maintain waterproofness of an engagement part between an inner ring member and a constant velocity joint and achieve long lives of lip pieces.SOLUTION: A seal member 20 is installed so as to span an inner ring member 3 and a constant velocity joint 30 connected to the inner ring member 3 in an axial direction and cover an engagement part 40 between end surfaces of the inner ring member 3 and the constant velocity joint 30 from the outer periphery side and includes: a cylindrical part 21 which is fitted on one of the inner ring member 3 and the constant velocity joint 30 at the first end 20a side in the axial direction; and a lip part 25 which is provided at the second end 20b side in the axial direction of the cylindrical part 21 and elastically contacts with an outer surface of the other of the inner ring member 3 and the constant velocity joint 30. The lip part 25 has a plurality of lip pieces 25a. The lip pieces 25a divide a space 25d in which a filler 26 is disposed.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a seal member for waterproofing an engagement portion between an inner ring member of a bearing device and a constant velocity joint that is axially connected to the inner ring member, and to a bearing device. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, this type of seal member has been arranged to fit onto one of the members and to have a lip piece elastically contact the other member with an elastic material, taking into consideration manufacturing errors and assembly errors of the inner ring member and the constant velocity joint. In other words, the seal member has an annular shape with a cylindrical portion, one axial end of the cylindrical portion has a fitting structure and shape, and the other end has a structure and shape having a lip portion made of an elastic material (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

[0003] Such a sealing member can cover and seal the engagement portion, which is formed halfway in the axial direction when the inner ring member is connected to the constant velocity joint, along with the surrounding areas, to protect it, thereby preventing the intrusion of muddy water and the like into the engagement portion. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2021-169833 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, as mentioned above, there are assembly errors in the inner ring member and the constant velocity joint, and since the lip piece elastically deforms to accommodate these errors, some deterioration due to elastic deformation of the lip piece is likely to occur.

[0006] Moreover, unlike lips used in sealing devices installed for bearing spaces, the lip piece is not disposed in a concealed state at the back of the labyrinth passage, but is disposed in a position directly exposed to muddy water, etc. Therefore, in conventional seal members, there is a risk of deterioration due to direct exposure to muddy water, etc.

[0007] Although waterproofing can be improved by arranging multiple lip pieces side by side, deterioration of the lip pieces is unavoidable since each lip piece undergoes repeated elastic deformation, and therefore waterproofing cannot be guaranteed for a long period of time.

[0008] The present invention has been proposed in consideration of the above circumstances, and its object is to provide a sealing member and a bearing device that can maintain waterproofing for the engagement portion between the inner ring member and the constant velocity joint, and can extend the life of the lip piece. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the sealing member of the present invention is a sealing member that spans an inner ring member of a bearing device and a constant velocity joint that is connected axially to the inner ring member, and is installed so as to cover the engagement portion between the end faces of the inner ring member and the constant velocity joint from the outer circumferential side, and is characterized in that it has a cylindrical portion at a first axial end side that fits onto one of the inner ring member and the constant velocity joint, and a lip portion that is provided at a second axial end side of the cylindrical portion and elastically contacts the outer surface of the other of the inner ring member and the constant velocity joint, and the lip portion has a plurality of lip pieces, and the plurality of lip pieces partition a space in which a filler is disposed. Effect of the Invention

[0010] Since the present invention is configured as described above, it is possible to maintain waterproofing for the engaging portion between the inner ring member and the constant velocity joint, and to extend the life of the lip piece. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic vertical cross-sectional view of a bearing device and a constant velocity joint to which a seal member according to an embodiment of the present invention is to be attached. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of a portion X in FIG. [Diagram 3] 2(a) and 2(b) are enlarged views of the portion X in FIG. 1 according to two other embodiments of the present invention. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of a portion X in FIG. 1 according to another embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0012] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings of Figures 1 to 3. First, the basic configuration of a seal member 20 according to this embodiment will be described.

[0013] The sealing member 20 is a member that spans the inner ring member 3 of the bearing device 1 and the constant velocity joint 30 that is connected in the axial direction of the inner ring member 3, and is installed so as to cover the engagement portion 40 between the end faces of the inner ring member 3 and the constant velocity joint 30 from the outer circumferential side.

[0014] The seal member 20 includes a cylindrical portion 21 at a first axial end 20a side that fits onto one of the inner ring member 3 and the constant velocity joint 30, and a lip portion 25 that is provided at a second axial end 20b side of the cylindrical portion 21 in the axial (rotation axis L) direction and elastically contacts an outer surface 32a of the other of the inner ring member 3 and the constant velocity joint 30. The lip portion 25 has a plurality of lip pieces 25a, 25b, 25c, and a space 25d in which a filler 26 is disposed is defined by the plurality of lip pieces 25a, 25b, 25c.

[0015] Next, a schematic configuration of the bearing device 1 to which the seal member 20 is attached will be described with reference to Fig. 1. In this specification, as shown in Fig. 1, the side facing the wheel (not shown) along the direction of the rotation axis L (the side facing the left side in Fig. 1) is referred to as the wheel side, and the side facing the vehicle body (not shown) (the side facing the right side in Fig. 1) is referred to as the vehicle body side.

[0016] 1, a hub ring 3b and an inner ring 3a are supported for rotation about their axis via two rows of rolling elements 7 arranged radially inside an outer ring member 2 fixed to a vehicle body (not shown). The hub ring 3b has a hub flange 3c, to which a drive wheel (not shown) is attached by bolts 3d.

[0017] In addition, a drive shaft 5 is coaxially spline-fitted to the hub wheel 3b, and the drive shaft 5 is connected to a drive source (not shown) via a constant velocity joint 30. The drive shaft 5 is integrated with the hub wheel 3b by a nut 5a, preventing the hub wheel 3b from coming off the drive shaft 5.

[0018] The hub ring 3b and the inner ring 3a form the inner ring member 3. The inner ring member 3 is capable of rotating around the rotation axis L relative to the outer ring member 2. A rolling element 7 is interposed between the inner ring member 3 and the outer ring member 2 while being held by a retainer 7a. In this way, the outer ring member 2 and the inner ring member 3 form and arrange two members that rotate relatively to each other, and an annular space is formed between the two members, which is a spatial portion including the interposed portion of the rolling element 7. This annular space is the bearing space, and serves as the sealed space 6 to be sealed.

[0019] A sealing device 10 is attached to the end of the sealed space 6 on the vehicle body side in the direction of the rotation axis L and in the vicinity thereof (see part X in FIG. 1). In addition, another sealing device 10 is attached to the end of the sealed space 6 on the wheel side. By attaching the sealing devices 10 to both ends, the sealed space 6 is sealed.

[0020] The sealing device 10 attached to the end of the sealed space 6 on the vehicle body side in the direction of the rotation axis L mainly includes a sealing member 11 for sealing the sealed space 6, and the seal member 20. The other sealing device 10 attached to the end on the wheel side is composed of the sealing member 11.

[0021] As shown in Figure 2, the sealing member 11 is composed of a group of annular members and includes a core bar 12 that fits (fits inwardly) into the outer ring member 2, a seal lip 13 fixed to the core bar 12, a slinger 14 that fits (fits outwardly) into the inner ring member 3, and a magnetic encoder 15 fixed to the slinger 14.

[0022] The core wire 12 and the slinger 14 both have cylindrical portions 12a, 14a, which are the mating portions, as well as disk portions 12b, 14b, and at the end of the sealed space 6, which is the space to be installed, they combine to form a labyrinth space r, and the seal lip 13 is positioned so as to contact the cylindrical portion 14a of the slinger 14 in the labyrinth space r.

[0023] The seal lip 13 has three lip pieces 13a that elastically contact the slinger 14. When the sealing member 11 is mounted on the bearing device 1, the outer ring member 2 and the inner ring member 3 rotate relative to each other, and accordingly the seal lip 13 and the slinger 14, which are fixed to the core metal 12, also rotate relative to each other, so that the lip pieces 13a come into sliding contact with the outer diameter surface of the cylindrical portion 14a of the slinger 14.

[0024] The magnetic encoder 15 is configured to detect the rotation of the wheels of the automobile by means of the magnetic encoder 15 and a magnetic sensor (not shown) disposed opposite the magnetic encoder 15.

[0025] By mounting the sealing members 11 on both ends of the space to be sealed 6 in the direction of the rotation axis L, the space to be sealed 6 can be sealed.

[0026] 1 and 2, the seal member 20 is an annular member that is mounted so as to straddle the inner ring member 3 and the constant velocity joint 30 adjacent to the inner ring member 3 in the direction of the rotation axis L. The constant velocity joint 30 includes a housing main body 31 and a small diameter portion 32 adjacent to the inner ring member 3 side, and a stepped space 33 is formed on the outer periphery of the small diameter portion 32.

[0027] In the direction of the rotation axis L, the inner ring member 3 and the small diameter portion 32 of the constant velocity joint 30 are engaged and connected at their end faces by an engaging portion 40 consisting of a face spline. The inner ring member 3 and the constant velocity joint 30 rotate coaxially with each other, and in the three embodiments described in detail below, the connection between them is by face spline engagement.

[0028] The seal member 20 is attached to the inner ring member 3 and the constant velocity joint 30 so as to surround the outer periphery of the engaging portion 40. The inner ring member 3 and the constant velocity joint 30 rotate coaxially with each other, but since the seal member 20 is attached to straddle the two members, the seal member 20 is designed to fit into one of the inner ring member 3 and the constant velocity joint 30, and have the lip portion 25 elastically contact the other, taking into consideration assembly errors and in particular the fact that the two members are not fixedly connected but are engaged by a face spline.

[0029] In the embodiment described below, the inner ring member 3 has a step portion 4 formed on the vehicle body side in the direction of the rotation axis L, and the portion corresponding to the step portion 4 has a smaller diameter than the portion where the slinger 14 fits, and the small diameter portion 32 adjacent to the inner ring member 3 has an even smaller diameter than the step portion 4. From the inner ring member 3 to the small diameter portion 32, the shape gradually narrows in a downward staircase shape along the direction of the rotation axis L from the step portion 4.

[0030] Next, the seal member 20 according to each embodiment will be described with reference to four examples in FIG. 2, FIG. 3(a)(b), and FIG.

[0031] Each of the seal members 20 shown in these four examples includes a main body 20A made of a metal material and a lip portion 25 made of an elastic material (rubber material). The main body 20A may be made of a hard synthetic resin material, and the lip portion 25 may be made of an elastic soft synthetic resin material.

[0032] 2 includes a body portion 20A having a generally Z-shaped cross section and a lip portion 25. The body portion 20A has a cylindrical portion 21, and includes a first bent piece 22 extending radially outward at a first end portion 20a of the cylindrical portion 21, and a second bent piece 23 extending radially inward at a second end portion 20b of the cylindrical portion 21.

[0033] The lip portion 25 includes a first lip piece 25a and a second lip piece 25b, and is fixed to the open end 23a side of the second bent piece 23 so that the first lip piece 25a and the second lip piece 25b protrude in the extension direction of the second bent piece 23. The first lip piece 25a is provided at a position farther away from the first bent piece 22 in the axial direction than the second lip piece 25b.

[0034] In a free state (elastic return state), the first lip piece 25a and the second lip piece 25b extend from their base ends in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction, and their respective tip ends are formed so as to be bent (or curved) at an angle toward the first bent piece 22 (see the two-dot chain line portion in FIG. 2). In other words, the first lip piece 25a and the second lip piece 25b extend at an angle in the same direction in the axial direction. Therefore, when the seal member 20 is attached and the first lip piece 25a and the second lip piece 25b are in elastic contact with the small diameter portion 32, the surfaces exposed to muddy water contact the small diameter portion 32.

[0035] The first lip piece 25a is formed thicker than the second lip piece 25b so that it can withstand muddy water. Since the first lip piece 25a is thicker than the second lip piece 25b, when the first lip piece 25a and the second lip piece 25b elastically contact the small diameter portion 32, the reaction force received by the first lip piece 25a is greater than the reaction force received by the second lip piece 25b. In other words, since the first lip piece 25a is farther from the first end portion 20a (the inner ring member 3) than the second lip piece 25b, there is a risk that the amount of swinging will be greater than that of the second lip piece 25b in the attached state, but the first lip piece 25a is made thick and sturdy so that it can withstand the swinging.

[0036] 2, the first lip piece 25a and the second lip piece 25b are in partial elastic contact with the small diameter portion 32, and a predetermined space 25d for accommodating the filler 26 is defined between the first lip piece 25a and the second lip piece 25b. Since the first lip piece 25a and the second lip piece 25b are both bent so that their tips face the inner ring member 3 side, when the filler 26 described below is filled in the space 25d, it is less likely to leak, but the bend is not limited to this and may be arranged in a V-shape, for example.

[0037] When the sealing member 20 is fitted (externally fitted) onto the inner ring member 3 and installed so as to straddle the inner ring member 3 and the constant velocity joint 30, the cylindrical portion 21 becomes approximately parallel to the rotation axis L, and the open end 23a of the second bent piece 23 faces toward the outer surface 32a of the small diameter portion 32.

[0038] When the sealing member 20 is fitted and attached to the inner ring member 3, on the first end 20a side of the sealing member 20, a portion including the end portion on the first end 20a side of the cylindrical portion 21 fits into the cylindrical outer surface 4a of the stepped portion 4 of the inner ring member 3, and the first bent piece 22 contacts the circular surface 4b of the stepped portion 4 of the inner ring member 3.

[0039] In addition, on the second end 20b side of the sealing member 20, the first lip piece 25a and the second lip piece 25b of the lip portion 25 extending radially inward are arranged in the step space 33 and elastically contact the outer surface 32a of the small diameter portion 32, which is one of the two surfaces adjacent to the recessed corner portion 34 between the housing main body portion 31 and the small diameter portion 32.

[0040] The first lip piece 25a and the second lip piece 25b are disposed at an interval in the direction of the rotation axis L, and a water-repellent filler 26 such as semi-solid grease is disposed in a closed space 25d surrounded by the first lip piece 25a, the second lip piece 25b and the outer surface 32a of the small diameter portion 32. Before elastic deformation, the tip portion is bent (or curved) at an angle toward the first bent piece 22, but the first lip piece 25a and the second lip piece 25b can also become further flattened by elastic contact with the outer surface 32a of the small diameter portion 32.

[0041] In this way, the seal member 20 is disposed so as to cover the engaging portion 40 and its vicinity in the circumferential direction, thereby making it possible to prevent muddy water from entering the engaging portion 40 and ensure the waterproofing of the engaging portion 40. Furthermore, by disposing the filler 26 between the first lip piece 25a and the second lip piece 25b, even if muddy water tries to enter from the outside of the first lip piece 25a, it is repelled, thereby preventing the intrusion of muddy water and also suppressing deterioration of the lip portion 25.

[0042] Furthermore, as shown in Fig. 2, the effect of suppressing the intrusion of muddy water can be further improved by applying a water-repellent material 27 to the outer surface of the first lip piece 25a of the lip portion 25 that is arranged so as to be exposed to the external space 35 (the side closer to the housing body portion 31). It is preferable that this water-repellent material 27 is of the same type as the filler 26, or has a water-repellent effect to the same extent. If the water-repellent material 27 is applied to the outer surface of the first lip piece 25a, the life of the lip portion 25 can be further extended. The water-repellent material 27 may also be applied to the outer surface of the second lip piece 25b.

[0043] Next, the seal member 20 shown in FIGS. 3(a) and 3(b) will be described. 3(a) includes a main body portion 20A having a generally Z-shaped cross section, and a lip portion 25. The main body portion 20A has a cylindrical portion 21, and includes a first bent piece 22 extending radially outward at a first end portion 20a of the cylindrical portion 21, and a second bent piece 23 extending radially inward at a second end portion 20b of the cylindrical portion 21.

[0044] The lip portion 25 includes a first lip piece 25a and a second lip piece 25b, and is fixed to the open end 23a of the second bent piece 23 so that these two lip pieces 25a, 25b protrude outward from the outer surface of the second bent piece 23 in the direction of the rotation axis L. The first lip piece 25a and the second lip piece 25b are V-shaped and expand toward the tip before elastic deformation (see the two-dot chain line portion in FIG. 3(a)). In other words, the first lip piece 25a and the second lip piece 25b extend in opposite directions from each other in the radial direction. The first lip piece 25a may be formed thicker than the second lip piece 25b.

[0045] When the sealing member 20 is fitted (externally fitted) onto the inner ring member 3 and installed so as to straddle the inner ring member 3 and the constant velocity joint 30, the cylindrical portion 21 becomes approximately parallel to the rotation axis L, and the open end 23a of the second bent piece 23 faces toward the outer surface 32a of the small diameter portion 32.

[0046] When the sealing member 20 is fitted and attached to the inner ring member 3, on the first end 20a side of the sealing member 20, a portion including the end portion on the first end 20a side of the cylindrical portion 21 fits into the cylindrical outer surface 4a of the stepped portion 4 of the inner ring member 3, and the first bent piece 22 contacts the circular surface 4b of the stepped portion 4 of the inner ring member 3.

[0047] Furthermore, on the second end 20b side of the sealing member 20, the first lip piece 25a and the second lip piece 25b extending outward in the direction of the rotation axis L of the lip portion 25 fixed to the second folded piece 23 are arranged in the step space 33 and elastically contact the side surface 31a of the housing main body portion 31, which is one of the two surfaces adjacent to the recessed corner portion 34 between the housing main body portion 31 and the small diameter portion 32.

[0048] The first lip piece 25a and the second lip piece 25b are disposed with a radial gap therebetween, and a water-repellent filler 26 such as semi-solid grease is disposed in a closed space 25d surrounded by these two lip pieces 25a, 25b and the side surface 31a of the housing body 31. Before elastic deformation, the lip piece 25a and the second lip piece 25b have a V-shape that widens toward the tip, but the first lip piece 25a and the second lip piece 25b can also become a further flattened V-shape due to elastic contact with the side surface 31a of the housing body 31.

[0049] In this way, the seal member 20 is disposed so as to cover the engaging portion 40 and its vicinity in the circumferential direction, thereby making it possible to prevent muddy water from entering the engaging portion 40 and ensure the waterproofing of the engaging portion 40. Furthermore, by disposing the filler 26 between the first lip piece 25a and the second lip piece 25b, even if muddy water attempts to enter from the outside of the first lip piece 25a, it is repelled, thereby preventing the intrusion of muddy water and also preventing deterioration of the lip portion 25.

[0050] Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 3(a), the effect of suppressing the intrusion of muddy water can be further improved by applying a water-repellent material 27 to the outer surface of the first lip piece 25a of the lip portion 25 that is arranged so as to be exposed to the external space 35 (arranged on the outer diameter side in the radial direction). It is preferable that this water-repellent material 27 is of the same type as the filler 26, or has a water-repellent effect of the same degree. If the water-repellent material 27 is applied to the outer surface of the first lip piece 25a, the life of the lip portion 25 can be further extended. The water-repellent material 27 may also be applied to the outer surface of the second lip piece 25b.

[0051] 3(b), in order to make the two lip pieces 25a, 25b elastically contact the side surface 31a of the housing main body 31, the seal member 20 may be provided with the two lip pieces 25a, 25b at the open end on the second end 20b side of the cylindrical portion 21, without providing the second bent piece 23. In this way, the main body 20A of the seal member 20 can be made into a simpler shape, and material saving can also be achieved.

[0052] 3(b) includes a main body portion 20A having a generally Z-shaped cross section, and a lip portion 25. The main body portion 20A has a cylindrical portion 21, and includes a first bent piece 22 extending radially outward on the first end portion 20a side of the cylindrical portion 21, and a second bent piece 23 extending radially inward on the second end portion 20b side of the cylindrical portion 21.

[0053] The lip portion 25 has three lip pieces 25a, 25b, and 25c, and is fixed to the open end 23a side of the second folded piece 23 so that the first lip piece 25a and the second lip piece 25b protrude outward from the outer surface of the second folded piece 23 in the direction of the rotation axis L, and so that the third lip piece 25c protrudes in the direction in which the second folded piece 23 extends.

[0054] The first lip piece 25a and the second lip piece 25b are V-shaped and widen towards the tip before elastic deformation (see the two-dot chain line portion in FIG. 3(a)), and the third lip piece 25c is formed so that the tip portion is bent (or curved) at an angle towards the first bent piece 22. The first lip piece 25a may be formed thicker than the second lip piece 25b and the third lip piece 25c.

[0055] When the sealing member 20 is fitted (externally fitted) onto the inner ring member 3 and installed so as to straddle the inner ring member 3 and the constant velocity joint 30, the cylindrical portion 21 becomes approximately parallel to the rotation axis L, and the open end 23a of the second bent piece 23 faces toward the small diameter portion 32.

[0056] When the sealing member 20 is fitted and attached to the inner ring member 3, on the first end 20a side of the sealing member 20, a portion including the end portion on the first end 20a side of the cylindrical portion 21 fits into the cylindrical outer surface 4a of the stepped portion 4 of the inner ring member 3, and the first bent piece 22 contacts the circular surface 4b of the stepped portion 4 of the inner ring member 3.

[0057] Furthermore, on the second end 20b side of the sealing member 20, the first lip piece 25a, the second lip piece 25b extending outward in the direction of the rotation axis L of the lip portion 25 fixed to the second bent piece 23, and the third lip piece 25c extending radially inward are arranged in the step space 33.

[0058] The first lip piece 25a and the second lip piece 25b extending outward in the direction of the rotation axis L elastically contact the side surface 31a of the housing main body 31, which is one of the two surfaces adjacent to the recessed corner 34 between the housing main body 31 and the small diameter portion 32, while the third lip piece 25c extending radially inward elastically contacts the outer surface 32a of the small diameter portion 32, which is the other of the two surfaces adjacent to the recessed corner 34.

[0059] The first to third lip pieces 25a, 25b, 25c are arranged at intervals from the side surface 31a of the housing main body 31 to the outer surface 32a of the small diameter portion 32, and two spaces 25d surrounded and closed by the first to third lip pieces 25a, 25b, 25c and both side surfaces of the recessed corner portion 34 are filled with a water-repellent filler 26 such as semi-solid grease.

[0060] In this way, the seal member 20 is disposed so as to cover the engaging portion 40 and its vicinity in the circumferential direction, thereby making it possible to prevent muddy water from entering the engaging portion 40 and ensure the waterproofing of the engaging portion 40. Furthermore, by disposing the filler 26 between the first lip piece 25a and the third lip piece 25c, even if muddy water attempts to enter from the outside of the first lip piece 25a, it is repelled, thereby preventing the intrusion of muddy water and also preventing deterioration of the lip portion 25.

[0061] Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 3(b), the effect of suppressing the intrusion of muddy water can be further improved by applying a water-repellent material 27 to the outer surface of the first lip piece 25a of the lip portion 25 that is arranged so as to be exposed to the external space 35 (arranged on the radially outer side). It is preferable that this water-repellent material 27 is of the same type as the filler 26 or has a water-repellent effect equal to or greater than that of the filler 26. If the water-repellent material 27 is applied to the outer surface of the first lip piece 25a, the life of the lip portion 25 can be further extended. The water-repellent material 27 may also be applied to the outer surface of the third lip piece 25c.

[0062] 3(b), in which the two lip pieces 25a, 25b are brought into elastic contact with the side surface 31a of the housing main body 31 and the third lip piece 25c is brought into elastic contact with the outer surface 32a of the small diameter portion 32, the second bent piece 23 may not be provided, and the three lip pieces 25a, 25b, 25c may be provided at the open end on the second end 20b side of the cylindrical portion 21. In this way, the main body 20A of the seal member 20 can be made into a simpler shape, and material can be saved.

[0063] Comparing the three sealing members 20 in Figures 2, 3(a) and 3(b) described above, the sealing member 20 in Figure 2 is configured to seal a relatively small area, which allows for material saving. Also, the sealing member 20 in Figures 3(a) and 3(b) has excellent sealing performance because it is configured to cover almost the entire step space 33, including the inside corner 34 where muddy water tends to accumulate.

[0064] In particular, according to the sealing member 20 of FIG. 3(b), the inside corner portion 34 is covered with three lip pieces 25a, and a larger amount of filler material 26 can be stored in the multiple spaces 25d partitioned by the three lip pieces 25a, thereby greatly improving the sealing performance.

[0065] Next, the seal member 20 shown in FIG. 4 will be described. 4 includes a main body 20B made of a metal material and a lip portion 25 made of an elastic material (rubber). The main body 20B includes a cylindrical portion 21 and a second bent piece 23. The cylindrical portion 21 has a first cylindrical portion 21a and a second cylindrical portion 21b, which are formed via a first bent piece 22.

[0066] Specifically, as shown in FIG. 4, main body portion 20B is formed in a descending stepped shape from the first end portion 20a side to the second end portion 20b side, in other words, main body portion 20B is formed so that the diameter of second cylindrical portion 21b is smaller than the diameter of first cylindrical portion 21a.

[0067] In this embodiment, unlike the three embodiments, the first cylindrical portion 21a on the first end portion 20a side serves as a fitting portion for the inner race member 3. That is, the first cylindrical portion 21a is fitted and attached to the outer surface 3e of the inner race member 3 alongside the slinger 14. The first bent piece 22 and the second cylindrical portion 21b are shaped to conform to the shapes of the cylindrical outer surface 4a and the circular surface 4b of the step portion 4. When the first cylindrical portion 21a is fitted and attached, the first bent piece 22 is separated from the circular surface 4b of the step portion 4, and the second cylindrical portion 21b is separated from the cylindrical outer surface 4a of the step portion 4.

[0068] The lip portion 25 is similar in arrangement (position and shape) to that of the seal member 20 shown in Fig. 2, so the same reference numerals as in Fig. 2 are used for each part and detailed description thereof will be omitted. Note that the arrangement of the lip portion 25 shown in Figs. 3(a) and (b) may be adopted.

[0069] This sealing member 20 is attached so as to cover the cylindrical outer surface 4a and the circular surface 4b of the stepped portion 4, so that it is possible to sufficiently prevent muddy water from entering from the stepped portion 4 side and to seal over a wide area. In addition, because the first bent piece 22 and the second cylindrical portion 21b are shaped to fit the stepped portion 4, it is possible to prevent the second end portion 20b side from swinging significantly when attached, and the attached state is stable.

[0070] Although all four seal members 20 described above are fitted onto the inner ring member 3, they may be of a type that is fitted onto the constant velocity joint 30. That is, the seal member 20 may be configured so that the constant velocity joint 30 (housing main body 31 or small diameter portion 32) is fitted onto the first end 20a side of the cylindrical portion 21, and the lip portion 25 on the second end 20b side comes into contact with the inner ring member 3 (for example, the cylindrical outer surface 4a or circular surface 4b of the stepped portion 4).

[0071] Furthermore, the lip pieces 25a, 25b, 25c are not limited to those that contact the small diameter portion 32 or the side surface 31a of the housing main body portion 31, like the four sealing members 20 described above, but may also be those that contact the outer peripheral surface of the housing main body portion 31.

[0072] Also, instead of applying the water-repellent material 27 to the outer surface of the first lip piece 25a, the lip portion 25 may be made of a water-repellent rubber material (for example, an additive that imparts water-repellent properties to a rubber base material is mixed in.) Also, even if a water-repellent rubber material is not used for the lip portion 25, the lip portion 25 itself may be given a water-repellent property by applying a water-repellent coating to the lip portion 25.

[0073] The sealing member 20 in the various embodiments described above is merely an example. It goes without saying that the overall shape of the sealing member 20 can be appropriately changed to a shape other than that shown in the examples as a design matter, for example, depending on the shape of the bearing device 1 to which it is to be attached. [Explanation of symbols]

[0074] 1 Bearing device 2 Outer ring material 3 Inner ring material 3a Inner Circle 3b Hub wheel 3c hub flange 3d bolt 3e Exterior 4 Step 4a Cylinder outer surface 4b Circular surface 5 Drive shaft 5a Nut 6 Sealed space 7 Rolling elements 7a Retainer 10 Sealing device 11 Sealing materials 12 Core wire 12a Cylindrical part 12b Disc section 13 Sealing lip 13a Lip piece 14 Slinger 14a Cylindrical part 14b Disc section 15 Magnetic Encoder 20 Sealing material 20a First end 20b 2nd end 20A Main Unit 21 Cylindrical part 21a First cylindrical part 21b Second cylindrical section 22 1st folded piece 23 2nd folded piece 23a Open end 25 Lip 25a Lip piece (first lip piece) 25b Lip piece (second lip piece) 25c Lip piece (third lip piece) 25d space 26 Filler 27 Water repellent material 30 Constant velocity joint 31 Housing body 31a side 32 Small diameter section 32a Exterior 33 Step Space 34 Inside corner 35 Exterior Space 40 Engagement part

Claims

1. A seal member that is disposed across an inner ring member of a bearing device and a constant velocity joint that is axially connected to the inner ring member, and that covers an engaging portion between end faces of the inner ring member and the constant velocity joint from an outer circumferential side, a cylindrical portion that is fitted onto one of the inner ring member and the constant velocity joint at a first end in an axial direction, and a lip portion that is provided on a second end in an axial direction of the cylindrical portion and that elastically contacts an outer surface of the other of the inner ring member and the constant velocity joint, The sealing member is characterized in that the lip portion has a plurality of lip pieces, and a space in which a filler is placed is defined by the plurality of lip pieces.

2. In claim 1, the constant velocity joint includes a housing body portion connected to a drive source, and a small diameter portion adjacent to the housing body portion and engaging with the inner ring member, The seal member, wherein the lip portion is disposed in a stepped space between the housing body portion and the small diameter portion.

3. In claim 2, The sealing member is characterized in that the plurality of lip pieces are in elastic contact with one of the two surfaces adjacent to the inside corner portion between the housing body portion and the small diameter portion.

4. In claim 2, The sealing member is characterized in that the plurality of lip pieces are arranged so as to straddle both faces adjacent to an internal corner portion between the housing body portion and the small diameter portion.

5. In any one of claims 1 to 4, The sealing member, wherein the filler is semi-solid and has water repellency.

6. In claim 5, A sealing member characterized in that the outer surface of one of the multiple lip pieces that is positioned so as to be exposed to the exterior space is coated with a water-repellent material of the same type as the filler.

7. In any one of claims 1 to 4, The sealing member, wherein the lip portion is made of a water-repellent rubber material.

8. A bearing device provided with the seal member according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

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