Sealing arrangement and bearing arrangement with sealing arrangement

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a sealing arrangement (1) for a bearing, comprising a first sealing element (2), which is connectable to a bearing inner ring of the bearing, a second sealing element (3), which is connectable to a bearing outer ring of the bearing, and a sealing gap (4) formed between the first sealing element and the second sealing element, wherein the sealing gap is formed as a stepped labyrinth seal (5). The disclosure also relates to a bearing arrangement having a sealing arrangement of this kind.

Description

[0001] Sealing arrangement and bearing arrangement with sealing arrangement

[0002] The present disclosure relates to a sealing arrangement for a bearing, in particular a wheel bearing, as well as to a bearing arrangement comprising a bearing, in particular a wheel bearing, and the sealing arrangement. The sealing arrangement serves to seal a gap between a bearing inner ring and a bearing outer ring of the bearing. The sealing arrangement comprises a first sealing element connectable or connected to the bearing inner ring of the bearing, a second sealing element connectable or connected to the bearing outer ring of the bearing, and a sealing gap formed between the first sealing element and the second sealing element. The disclosure also relates to a bearing arrangement for a motor vehicle, comprising a bearing having a bearing inner ring, a bearing outer ring, and bearing bodies arranged between the bearing inner ring and the bearing outer ring, and the sealing arrangement.

[0003] Bearings are used to support a rotating component such as a shaft. Supporting components exposed to harsh environmental conditions presents a challenge, as the ingress of dirt or fluids in these applications can lead to bearing damage and potential bearing failure. For these applications, such as a motor vehicle wheel bearing, sealed bearings are available. These include one or more seals between the bearing rings to prevent dirt and / or fluids from penetrating the bearing housing area.

[0004] A sealing arrangement is already known from the prior art of document DE 10 2017 110 115 A1, in which the sealing gap is designed in the form of a labyrinth seal to improve sealing performance and at least one of the sealing elements has a trapezoidal sealing projection which engages in a trough-shaped recess of the other sealing element. A problem with the prior art is that dirty water enters an interior region of the sealing arrangement, particularly via the inlet of the sealing arrangement, i.e. at the sealing gap or seal inlet gap, and this dirty water must be kept out by the main sealing lip of the sealing arrangement. The more dirty water that enters and the higher the inlet velocity of the protective water, the greater the demands on the sealing performance of the main sealing lip, so that it may even be necessary to provide several contacting sealing lips.However, due to the contact of the sealing lips, friction occurs, which must be avoided.

[0005] Against this background, the present disclosure is based on the object of avoiding or at least mitigating the disadvantages of the prior art. In particular, a sealing arrangement is to be provided in which the friction (generated by the sealing arrangement) can be reduced without having to accept any loss in sealing performance.

[0006] This problem is solved by a sealing arrangement having the features of the independent patent claim and by a bearing arrangement having the features of the subordinate patent claim. Advantageous further developments are the subject of the dependent claims.

[0007] Accordingly, the sealing arrangement for a bearing, in particular for a wheel bearing, for sealing a gap between a bearing inner ring and a bearing outer ring of the bearing, comprises a first sealing element which can be connected to the bearing inner ring of the bearing, a second sealing element which can be connected to the bearing outer ring of the bearing, and a sealing gap formed between the first sealing element and the second sealing element, which is designed as a step-shaped labyrinth seal.

[0008] This means that a stepped pre-labyrinth system is directly integrated into the sealing gap / inlet gap / seal inlet gap. In particular, the first sealing element and the second sealing element are each stepped in the area of ​​the sealing gap, preferably with essentially uniform step intervals. This has the advantage that the flow path of any penetrating dirty water is disrupted and thus lengthened by the constrictions created by the labyrinth. By designing the pre-labyrinth system as an upstream, stepped labyrinth seal directly integrated into the sealing system, the ingress of dirty water can be largely prevented and, at the same time, any liquid that does penetrate can be throttled and partially pumped back (i.e. out of the sealing system).This in turn has the advantage that due to the reduced amount of dirty water penetrating within the sealing arrangement, the number of contacting (main) sealing lips can be reduced and no (further) pre-sealing (e.g. in the form of mounted sheets) is required outside the sealing arrangement to protect the sealing arrangement from dirty water ingress.

[0009] According to a preferred embodiment, the first sealing element and / or the second sealing element can extend radially outward in a stepped manner in the region of the sealing gap toward a side of the sealing arrangement facing away from the bearing. The stepped configuration (in particular of both the first sealing element and the second sealing element) allows for a particularly uniform, stepped configuration of the sealing gap, which promotes the backflow of the dirty water.

[0010] According to a preferred embodiment, the first sealing element and the second sealing element can have at least two webs and / or at least two (preferably trough-shaped / basin-like) depressions to form the labyrinth seal. This means that each sealing element has at least one web and two depressions or at least one depression and two webs. In particular, each sealing element can have at least two depressions. The depressions arranged one behind the other can create a so-called siphon effect, particularly in the central region of the sealing gap, which offers resistance to the inflow of further dirty water. In particular, both the webs and the depressions of the respective sealing element can be designed in a stepped manner, i.e. offset from one another in the radial direction, preferably with increasing diameter towards the side of the sealing arrangement facing away from the bearing.

[0011] According to a further development, the webs and recesses of the respective sealing element can be arranged alternately in the flow path. This means that at least two recesses arranged (immediately) one behind the other in the flow path are separated from each other by a web, or two webs arranged (immediately) one behind the other in the flow path are separated from each other by a recess.

[0012] According to a further development (when the sealing arrangement is assembled), the webs can be arranged opposite the recesses of the other sealing element in such a way that a straight flow path through the labyrinth seal is disrupted. For example, the webs and the recesses can be designed such that an imaginary plane through the labyrinth seal (or, viewed in the longitudinal section of the sealing arrangement, a straight line through the labyrinth seal) intersects a free end region of the webs or runs (directly) along the free end region of the webs (i.e. just does not intersect the free end region of the webs, but runs past it). This ensures that there is no direct flow path for the dirty water. Alternatively, it would also be conceivable for the webs to engage radially in the recesses of the other sealing element.

[0013] According to a further development, the webs of the first sealing element (in the assembled state of the sealing arrangement) can be arranged radially inside the webs of the second sealing element located on a side facing away from the bearing. This has the effect of ensuring easy assembly of the sealing arrangement in that the radially inner sealing element (from the side facing away from the bearing) can be pushed axially into the radially outer sealing element, in particular without complicated tilting / skewing of the sealing elements relative to one another. At the same time, the opposing arrangement of the sealing elements, which exists in the assembled state, can be retained. According to a further development, the webs of the first sealing element and / or the second sealing element can each have a surface that is inclined radially outwards towards a side of the sealing arrangement facing away from the bearing.Because the elements to be sealed, namely the bearing inner ring and the bearing outer ring, rotate relative to each other during operation, the dirty water penetrating the sealing gap is forced radially outward. Due to the inclination of the webs, the dirty water impacting the webs is deflected toward the side of the sealing arrangement facing away from the bearing. This creates a centrifugal effect on the dirty water, forcing it out of the sealing arrangement.

[0014] According to a preferred embodiment, the surface (as viewed in the longitudinal section of the sealing arrangement) can be inclined at an angle of 30° to 60° relative to an axial direction of the sealing arrangement. This achieves a particularly suitable deflection of the dirty water conveyed radially outward.

[0015] According to a further development, the recesses of the first sealing element and / or the second sealing element can each have a recess base ( / trough bottom) and two recess flanks (formed by the adjacent web). This allows a suitable shape to be constructed for forming the stepped labyrinth.

[0016] The recesses and / or webs of the first sealing element can preferably be substantially uniform (as viewed in the longitudinal section of the sealing arrangement), i.e., have the same shape. Thus, the flow-directing effect is achieved across the entire sealing gap.

[0017] The recesses and / or ridges of the second sealing element can preferably be substantially uniform (as viewed in the longitudinal section of the sealing arrangement), i.e., have the same shape. This achieves the flow-directing effect across the entire sealing gap. The recesses and / or ridges of the first sealing element and the second sealing element can preferably be substantially uniform relative to one another (as viewed in the longitudinal section of the sealing arrangement), i.e., have the same shape. This has the effect that the same flow-directing effect is achieved both radially inward and radially outward.

[0018] According to a preferred embodiment, the recess base can be aligned parallel to the axial direction of the sealing arrangement. Thus, the sealing elements have a stepped shape overall, but are flat in the area of ​​the recess base to promote the accumulation (as opposed to drainage into the interior of the sealing arrangement) of any dirty water that has penetrated, creating the associated siphon effect to prevent additional dirty water from penetrating.

[0019] According to a preferred development, the recess base can each transition into the recess flanks via a radius. Alternatively, the recess base can transition into a recess flank only on one side via a radius. The formation of the radius causes the wastewater to rotate at the recess base. This has the advantage that the flow velocity and direction of the wastewater can be specifically influenced via the radius and, in particular, can be directed away from the sealing arrangement. Furthermore, capillary action can be improved by increasing the contact surface.

[0020] The two recess flanks of the first sealing element and / or the second sealing element can be a flank facing the bearing and a flank facing away from the bearing.

[0021] According to a preferred development, the flank of the first sealing element facing away from the bearing can undercut the respective adjacent web. In addition, the flank of the first sealing element facing towards the bearing can undercut the respective adjacent web. The undercut can provide suitable guidance or rotation of the penetrating dirty water, in particular in the direction out of the sealing arrangement. According to a preferred development, the flank of the second sealing element facing away from the bearing can undercut the respective adjacent web. In addition, the flank of the second sealing element facing away from the bearing can undercut the respective adjacent web. The undercut can provide suitable guidance or rotation of the penetrating dirty water, in particular in the direction out of the sealing arrangement.

[0022] The sealing arrangement can have a collecting channel on a side facing the bearing, i.e., downstream of the sealing gap. The collecting channel can collect the dirty water that has penetrated, preventing it from advancing further to a sealing lip.

[0023] According to a preferred embodiment, the sealing arrangement can be designed such that a substantially straight flow path is realized between the sealing gap and the collecting channel. This has the advantage of creating a laminar flow, allowing the flow of the intruding dirty water to settle and be more easily collected in the collecting channel.

[0024] According to a preferred embodiment, the second sealing element can have a sealing lip on a side facing the bearing, i.e., downstream of the sealing gap, that rests against the first sealing element (when the sealing arrangement is assembled). The contacting sealing lip particularly effectively protects the element to be sealed against the ingress of dirty water.

[0025] The object of the present disclosure is also achieved by a bearing assembly for a motor vehicle, wherein the bearing assembly comprises a bearing, in particular a wheel bearing, which has a bearing inner ring, a bearing outer ring and bearing bodies arranged between the bearing inner ring and the bearing outer ring, and the described sealing assembly. In other words, the present disclosure relates to a wheel bearing with a sealing system with a directly integrated pre-labyrinth system, wherein the approach is to keep dirty water largely away from the main lip (e.g., a radial lip or axial lip) through design measures (pre-labyrinth within the sealing system) in order to, if possible, only require one contacting sealing lip on the wheel side and one on the transmission side while still meeting customer requirements.The object of the invention is therefore to optimize a wheel bearing in such a way that the ingress of dirty water via the seal is largely prevented, while any penetrating fluid is still throttled and returned. A further object of the invention is to reduce the friction of the seal. By means of a labyrinth system formed after assembly (i.e. the sealing disc and running plate or the encoder form the labyrinth system after assembly), it is intended to create the possibility of being able to dispense with contacting sealing lips within the sealing system and, preferably, to dispense with measures to protect the sealing point from the ingress of dirty water, such as mounted plates to create a pre-seal.

[0026] In particular, the positive results achieved in the sealing tests regarding the sealing performance despite the reduced number of contacting lips are achieved by deliberately increasing the capillary action in the inlet gap through the measures described (recesses; elevations; close spacing between the sealing part (DSH) and encoder (DHM)). The phenomenon used here is the effect of liquids to rise in narrow gaps or capillaries, which occurs due to the interaction between molecules and the surfaces of the capillaries and is influenced by properties such as surface tension, adhesion, and cohesion. The capillary action in narrow gaps arises due to the adhesive forces (i.e., the forces of attraction between the molecules of a liquid and the molecules of the surface on which it is located) and the cohesive forces (i.e., the forces of attraction between the molecules of the liquid among themselves).that in narrow gaps or capillaries the surfaces with which the liquid comes into contact are very close to one another, so that the adhesive forces between the liquid molecules and the surface molecules are stronger than the cohesive forces between the liquid molecules themselves. In other words, the capillary effect is stronger in narrow gaps because the surface molecules exert a greater relative force of attraction on the liquid molecules. This exploits the phenomenon known from nature (plant world) to allow liquid to rise against gravity due to capillary action. Thus, the sealing effect of a labyrinth is fundamentally based on the extension of the flow path through the gap to be sealed, which increases the flow resistance.

[0027] In summary, the present disclosure relates to a sealing arrangement in which an increased capillary effect is generated by a larger contact surface (generated by the recesses or webs / elevations) and small distances between the (radially outer) sealing part (DSH) and the (radially inner) encoder (DHM). The flow path is disrupted and lengthened by constrictions (and the flow resistance is increased), whereby the constrictions are formed by the elevations of the stepped inlet gap after the assembly process for the cassette seal between the sealing part and the encoder. Thus, the rotation of the encoder creates a capillary effect when the flowing medium (dirty water) encounters a step with the trough-shaped recess on the encoder. These specifically influence the flow velocity and direction.Depending on the design of the steps with trough-shaped depressions, for example by the height and width of the step, the flow path and flow behavior of the flowing medium can be influenced with the aim of creating a flow direction away from the main lip, towards the inlet gap. The structural measures implemented in the inlet gap (step shape; elevations / webs and trough-shaped depressions), particularly in the middle area, create a siphon effect that offers the greatest possible resistance to the onflow of dirty water. Furthermore, dirty water that has nevertheless passed through the inlet gap is deliberately led back into a laminar flow pattern (calming chamber, i.e. flow path without obstacles) so that the dirty water can be drained away via the integrated catch channel.Furthermore, the stepped pre-labyrinth of the (radially outer) sealing part (DSH) forms two siphons connected in series at a 6 o'clock position. The siphon function uses the remaining water as a barrier medium for further penetrating dirty water. The stepped design of the inlet gap with the elevations and trough-shaped depressions shown is designed in such a way that the assembly process for the cassette seal can be ensured without tilting or misalignment of the two sealing elements relative to each other. In principle, the elevations can mesh with the trough-shaped depressions, whereby the elevations are designed very delicately to ensure a clean assembly process. Furthermore, the labyrinth in the seal's inlet gap can also be used on the wheel-side seal.Furthermore, it is conceivable that the thrust washer of the seal has a bevel at which a sealing lip comes into contact.

[0028] The geometric design of the entrance gap labyrinth can be achieved via the sealing part and the encoder. The (radially outer) sealing element, i.e., the sealing part, can be manufactured by injection molding or compression molding, and the (radially inner) sealing element, i.e., the encoder, can be manufactured by compression molding. Alternatively, the geometric design of the entrance gap labyrinth can be achieved via the sealing part and the thermoplastic part (TPE (thermoplastic elastomer)) and a rubber-lined race or the encoder. A two-component injection molding process or a standard process for the production of the (radially outer) sealing part using compression molding can be used. The thermoplastic part or TPE (thermoplastic elastomer) is manufactured separately and bonded. The rubber-lined race or the encoder can be manufactured using a standard process (compression molding).

[0029] The disclosure is explained below with the help of drawings:

[0030] Fig. 1 shows a sectional view of an embodiment of a sealing arrangement according to the disclosure, Fig. 2 shows a sectional view of another embodiment of the sealing arrangement according to the disclosure, and

[0031] Figs. 3 to 7 show individual sections to explain the design of the sealing arrangement.

[0032] The figures are merely schematic in nature and serve solely to assist in understanding the present disclosure.

[0033] Figs. 1 to 7 show a sealing arrangement 1 for a bearing, in particular for a wheel bearing. The sealing arrangement 1 serves in particular to seal a gap between an inner bearing ring and an outer bearing ring of the bearing.

[0034] Fig. 1 shows the sealing arrangement 1 according to an embodiment on a transmission side, and Fig. 2 shows the sealing arrangement 1 according to an embodiment on a wheel side. Figs. 3 to 7 show individual details of the sealing arrangement 1.

[0035] The sealing arrangement 1 comprises a first sealing element 2, which can be connected to the inner ring of the bearing, and a second sealing element 3, which can be connected to the outer ring of the bearing. Furthermore, the sealing arrangement 1 comprises a sealing gap (inlet gap) 4 formed between the first sealing element 2 and the second sealing element 3.

[0036] According to the present disclosure, the sealing gap 4 is designed as a stepped labyrinth seal 5. This means that a stepped pre-labyrinth system is directly integrated into the sealing gap / inlet gap / seal inlet gap 4. The resulting extension of the flow path is illustrated in particular in Fig. 3 using a dashed flow path.

[0037] In particular, the first sealing element 2 and the second sealing element 3 are each stepped in the region of the sealing gap 4, preferably with substantially uniform step increments. The first sealing element 2 can preferably extend radially outward in a stepped manner toward a side 6 of the sealing arrangement 1 facing away from the bearing. Furthermore, the second sealing element 3 can preferably extend radially outward in a stepped manner toward the side 6 of the sealing arrangement 1 facing away from the bearing in the region of the sealing gap 4.

[0038] In particular, the first sealing element 2 has (at least) two preferably trough-shaped / basin-like recesses 7 for forming the labyrinth seal (in the assembled state). Adjacent to the recesses 7 or directly between each two recesses 7, the first sealing element 2 has a web (or elevation) 8.

[0039] In particular, both the recesses 7 and the webs 8 of the first sealing element 2 can be designed in a stepped manner, ie offset from one another in the radial direction, ie arranged on different diameters, preferably with increasing diameter towards the side 6 of the sealing arrangement 1 facing away from the bearing.

[0040] In other words, an outer recess 7 is arranged radially further outwards than an inner recess 7, i.e. the recesses 7 located (axially) further outwards (i.e. on the side facing away from the bearing) are arranged on a larger diameter than the / all recesses 7 located (axially) further inwards (i.e. on the side facing towards the bearing). In other words, an outer web 8 is arranged radially further outwards than an inner web 8, i.e. the webs 8 located (axially) further outwards (i.e. on the side facing away from the bearing) are arranged on a larger diameter than the / all webs 8 located (axially) further inwards (i.e. on the side facing towards the bearing).

[0041] In particular, the second sealing element 3 has (at least) two webs ( / elevations) 9 for forming the labyrinth seal (in the assembled state). The webs 9 of the second sealing element 3 are arranged in the region of the recesses 7 of the first sealing element 2. Adjacent to the webs 9 or directly between each two webs 9, the second sealing element 3 each has a preferably trough-shaped / basin-like recess 10. The recesses 10 of the second sealing element 3 are arranged in the region of the webs 8 of the first sealing element 2. The webs 8, 9 are arranged opposite the recesses 7, 10 of the other sealing element 2, 3 (in the assembled state of the sealing arrangement 1) in such a way that a straight flow path through the labyrinth seal 5 is disrupted. A disruption of the flow path is shown in particular in Fig. 4 by means of a dashed collision line.

[0042] In particular, both the webs 9 and the recesses 10 of the second sealing element 3 can be designed in a stepped manner, ie offset from one another in the radial direction, ie arranged on different diameters, preferably with increasing diameter towards the side 6 of the sealing arrangement 1 facing away from the bearing.

[0043] In other words, an outer web 9 is arranged radially further outwards than an inner web 9, i.e. the webs 9 located (axially) further outwards (i.e. on the side facing away from the bearing) are arranged on a larger diameter than the / all webs 9 located (axially) further inwards (i.e. on the side facing towards the bearing). In other words, an outer recess 10 is arranged radially further outwards than an inner recess 10, i.e. the recesses 10 located (axially) further outwards (i.e. on the side facing away from the bearing) are arranged on a larger diameter than the / all recesses 10 located (axially) further inwards (i.e. on the side facing towards the bearing).

[0044] The recesses 7 or the webs 8 of the first sealing element 2 are arranged one behind the other (in the flow path). The webs 9 or the recesses 10 of the second sealing element 3 are arranged one behind the other (in the flow path). In particular, the webs 8, 9 and the recesses 7, 10 of the respective sealing element 2, 3 can be arranged alternately in the flow path. This means that at least two recesses 7, 10 arranged (immediately) one behind the other in the flow path are separated from one another by a web 8, 9, or two webs 8, 9 arranged (immediately) one behind the other in the flow path are separated from one another by a recess 7, 10.

[0045] Preferably, the webs 8 of the first sealing element 2 (in the assembled state of the sealing arrangement 1) can be arranged radially inside the webs 9 of the second sealing element 3 located on a side 6 facing away from the bearing. Thus, the radially inner first sealing element 2 (from the side 6 facing away from the bearing) can be inserted axially into the radially outer second sealing element 3, in particular without skewing the sealing elements 2, 3 relative to one another, in particular in an assembly direction which corresponds to a direction from the right in Figs. 3 to 7.

[0046] In particular, the webs 8, 9 of the first sealing element 2 and the second sealing element 3, respectively, can each have a surface 11 that is inclined radially outward toward a side 6 of the sealing arrangement 1 facing away from the bearing. Preferably, the surface 11 (as viewed in the longitudinal section of the sealing arrangement 1) can be inclined at an angle of 30° to 60° to an axial direction of the sealing arrangement 1.

[0047] Furthermore, the recesses 7, 10 of the first sealing element 2 and the second sealing element 3 (seen in the longitudinal section of the sealing arrangement 1) can each have a recess base ( / trough bottom) 12 and two recess flanks 13 (formed by the respectively adjacent web 8, 9). The respective recesses 7 and / or respective webs 8 of the first sealing element 2 and the respective webs 9 and / or respective recesses 10 of the second sealing element 3 can preferably be substantially uniform, i.e., have the same shape. In addition, the respective recesses 7, 10 and / or respective webs 8, 9 of the first sealing element 2 and the second sealing element 3 can preferably be substantially uniform to one another, i.e., have the same shape. The recess base 12 (of the recesses 7, 10 of the first sealing element 2 and the second sealing element 3) can preferably be aligned parallel to the axial direction of the sealing arrangement 1.In a 6 o'clock position (see Fig. 5), penetrated medium can collect in the recesses 10 of the second sealing element 3.

[0048] In particular, the recess base 12 (of the recesses 7, 10 of the first sealing element 2 or the second sealing element 3) can each transition into the recess flanks 13 via a radius 14 or, alternatively, only on one side via a radius 14 into a recess flank 13. The two recess flanks 13 of the first sealing element 2 or the second sealing element 3 are a flank 15 facing the bearing and a flank 16 facing away from the bearing. Preferably, the flank 16 of the first sealing element 2 facing away from the bearing can undercut the adjacent web 8. Preferably, the flank 15 of the second sealing element 3 facing away from the bearing can undercut the adjacent web 9. A rotation of the penetrated medium generated by the undercut or the radius 14 is shown in particular in Fig. 6, whereby a backflow against the force of gravity out of the sealing arrangement 1 is achieved.

[0049] The sealing arrangement 1 can have a collecting channel 18 on a side 17 facing the bearing, i.e., downstream, of the sealing gap 4. Preferably, the sealing arrangement 1 can be designed such that a substantially rectilinear flow path is realized between the sealing gap 4 and the collecting channel 17 to generate a laminar flow. A region of laminar flow 19, which adjoins a region of increased capillary action 20 in the sealing gap 4, is shown in particular in Fig. 7.

[0050] In addition, the second sealing element 3 on the side 17 facing the bearing, i.e. downstream, of the sealing gap 5 has a sealing lip 21 which bears against the first sealing element 2 (in the assembled state of the sealing arrangement 1). In the embodiment shown, the second sealing element 3 has a first sealing lip 22 (or a first sealing lip section) and a second sealing lip 23 (or a second sealing lip section). The first sealing lip 22 is located downstream of the second sealing lip 23, i.e. is arranged downstream in the flow path. The first sealing lip 22 bears against a radial outer peripheral surface 24 of the first sealing element 2. The radial outer peripheral surface 24 is formed on a section 25 of the first sealing element 2 that extends in the axial direction. The second sealing lip 23 bears against an inclined surface 26 of the first sealing element 2. The inclined surface 26 is substantially opposite the radial outer peripheral surface 24.The inclined surface 26 is formed on a section 27 of the first sealing element 2 that extends radially outward and in the axial direction toward the side facing away from the bearing. Section 25 and section 27 of the first sealing element 2 are (directly) connected to one another via a section 28 that extends in the radial direction.

[0051] List of reference symbols

[0052] 1 Sealing arrangement

[0053] 2 first sealing element

[0054] 3 second sealing element

[0055] 4 Sealing gap

[0056] 5 Labyrinth seal

[0057] 6 side facing away from the bearing

[0058] 7 Deepening

[0059] 8 bridge

[0060] 9 jetty

[0061] 10 Deepening

[0062] 11 Surface

[0063] 12 Reason for further study

[0064] 13 recess flank

[0065] 14 radius

[0066] 15 flank facing the bearing

[0067] 16 flank facing away from the bearing

[0068] 17 side facing the bearing

[0069] 18 gutter

[0070] 19 Laminar flow area

[0071] 20 Area of ​​increased capillary action

[0072] 21 Sealing lip

[0073] 22 first sealing lip

[0074] 23 second sealing lip

[0075] 24 Outer peripheral surface

[0076] 25 sloping surface

[0077] Section 26

[0078] Section 27

[0079] Section 28

Claims

Patent claims 1 . Sealing arrangement (1) for a bearing, with a first sealing element (2) which can be connected to an inner bearing ring of the bearing, a second sealing element (3) which can be connected to an outer bearing ring of the bearing, and a sealing gap (4) formed between the first sealing element (2) and the second sealing element (3), characterized in that the sealing gap (4) is designed as a step-shaped labyrinth seal (5).

2. Sealing arrangement (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the first sealing element (2) and / or the second sealing element (3) extend / extends in the region of the sealing gap (4) in a stepped manner radially outwards towards a side (6) of the sealing arrangement (1) facing away from the bearing.

3. Sealing arrangement (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the first sealing element (2) and the second sealing element (3) have at least two webs (8, 9) and / or at least two depressions (7, 10) for forming the labyrinth seal (5), wherein the webs (8, 9) and the depressions (7, 10) of the respective sealing element (2, 3) are arranged alternately in the flow path and wherein the webs (8, 9) are arranged opposite the depressions (7, 10) of the respective other sealing element (2, 3) in such a way that a straight flow path is disturbed by the labyrinth seal.

4. Sealing arrangement (1) according to claim 3, characterized in that the webs (8, 9) of the first sealing element (2) are arranged radially inside the webs (8, 9) of the second sealing element (3) located on a side facing away from the bearing.

5. Sealing arrangement (1) according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that the webs (8, 9) of the first sealing element (2) and / or of the second sealing element (3) each have a surface (11) which is inclined radially outwards towards a side (6) of the sealing arrangement (1) facing away from the bearing.

6. Sealing arrangement (1) according to one of claims 3 to 5, characterized in that the recesses (7, 10) of the first sealing element (2) and / or of the second sealing element (3) each have a recess base (12) and two recess flanks (13), wherein the recess base (12) is aligned parallel to the axial direction of the sealing arrangement (1) and / or the recess base (12) merges into the recess flanks (14) via a radius (14).

7. Sealing arrangement (1) according to claim 6, characterized in that the two recess flanks (14) of the first sealing element (2) and / or of the second sealing element (3) are a flank (15) facing the bearing and a flank (16) facing away from the bearing, wherein the flank (16) of the first sealing element (2) facing away from the bearing and / or the flank (15) of the second sealing element (3) facing away from the bearing undercut the respective adjacent web (8, 9).

8. Sealing arrangement (1) according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the sealing arrangement (1) has a collecting channel (18) on a side (17) of the sealing gap (4) facing the bearing, wherein the sealing arrangement (1) is designed such that a substantially rectilinear flow path is realized between the sealing gap (4) and the collecting channel (18).

9. Sealing arrangement (1) according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the second sealing element (3) has a sealing lip (21, 22, 23) resting on the first sealing element (2) on a side (17) of the sealing gap (4) facing the bearing.

10. Bearing arrangement for a motor vehicle, comprising a bearing having an inner bearing ring, an outer bearing ring and bearing bodies arranged between the inner bearing ring and the outer bearing ring, and a sealing arrangement (1) according to one of claims 1 to 9.

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