Wheel Carrier Bearing Seal Labyrinth for Torque Element Positioning

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing wheel carrier arrangements face challenges in achieving high tightness while being easy to assemble and resistant to external environmental influences, particularly due to complex intermeshing gears and potential moisture penetration.

Innovation Solution

A wheel carrier assembly with a pre-sealing element that forms a sealing labyrinth around the outer ring of the wheel bearing, interacting positively with the torque transmission element to fix it in the axial direction, ensuring reliable sealing and easy assembly, and incorporating a seal that cooperates with the pre-sealing element for enhanced protection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a seal is arranged between the inner ring and outer ring of the wheel bearing to improve sealing, then tightness against external environment is improved, but assembly complexity increases due to additional sealing components

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovetightnessVSAvoidassembly complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The pre-sealing element is integrated into the torque transmission element, merging two separate components into one. This integration maintains the sealing function while eliminating the need for separate sealing components, thereby reducing assembly complexity while preserving tightness against the external environment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The torque transmission element is designed to serve multiple functions: it transmits torque through gear engagement and simultaneously provides sealing functionality through the integrated pre-sealing element. This multi-functionality reduces the total number of components needed while maintaining effective sealing between the inner and outer rings.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Power

If complex intermeshing gears are used to ensure torque transmission, then torque transmission capability is improved, but ease of assembly deteriorates due to precise alignment requirements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetorque transmission capabilityVSAvoidease of assembly
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The pre-sealing element is pre-formed with the specific geometry needed for both sealing and gear engagement. This preliminary preparation of the component geometry ensures that when components are assembled, the gear teeth are already positioned to engage correctly, eliminating the need for complex alignment procedures while maintaining torque transmission capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The pre-sealing element acts as an intermediary component that facilitates the engagement of the intermeshing gears. By providing a pre-formed sealing structure with integrated gear engagement features, it guides the assembly process and ensures proper positioning of the gear teeth, thereby simplifying assembly while maintaining power transmission.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If multiple sealing elements are added to prevent moisture penetration, then protection against moisture ingress is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemoisture protectionVSAvoidsealing structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The pre-sealing element combines multiple sealing functions into a single integrated component. By merging the sealing functionality with the torque transmission element, the patent achieves effective moisture protection without adding separate sealing components, thereby preventing moisture penetration while avoiding increased device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP4614021A1Wheel carrier arrangement for a motor vehicle and method for producing such a wheel carrier arrangement
Publication Date: 2025.09.10 AUDI AG
  • EP4614021A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4614021A1 patent drawingFigure 3~5
  • EP4614021A1 patent drawing

AI summary

The invention relates to a wheel carrier arrangement (1) for a motor vehicle, comprising a wheel carrier (2) and a wheel bearing (3) for pivotally supporting a wheel hub (4) on the wheel carrier (2) about a wheel hub rotational axis (5), wherein the wheel hub (4) has a first toothing (11) which engages with a second toothing (12) of a torque transmission element (9), wherein a seal (14) which cooperates sealingly with a pre-sealing element (15) is arranged between an inner ring (6) and an outer ring (7) of the wheel bearing (3), and the pre-sealing element (15) cooperates positively with the torque transmission element (9) in order to fix it in the axial direction with respect to the wheel hub rotational axis (5) relative to the wheel bearing (3). It is provided that the pre-sealing element (15) encompasses the outer ring (7) of the wheel bearing (3) to form a sealing labyrinth (22).The invention further relates to a method for producing a wheel carrier arrangement (1) for a motor vehicle.