Rolling Bearing Seal Attachment Without Screws or Ring Weakening
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for sealing large bearings are inefficient due to the need for additional components, reduced strength of bearing rings, and complex, time-consuming connection processes, particularly when using screws or requiring deformation of sealing discs.
Innovation Solution
The use of a sealing disc with integrated connecting means, such as threads or annular edges, that engage with corresponding features on the bearing ring, eliminating the need for additional components and simplifying the connection process by forming these features during machining, and incorporating an O-ring for lubricant leakage prevention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If screws are used to fasten the sealing disc to the bearing ring, then the connection is secure, but additional components are required and the bearing ring strength is reduced due to threaded holes
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing disc is integrated with the bearing ring through a unified connecting structure where the sealing disc includes a connecting element that engages with a corresponding feature on the bearing ring, eliminating the need for separate screws or fasteners. This merging of components maintains secure connection while reducing part count.
2Reliability
If multiple screws are used to fasten the sealing disc, then the connection is secure, but the assembly process becomes very time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing disc and bearing ring are connected through an integrated connecting structure that requires only a single fastening operation, eliminating the need to tighten multiple screws. This reduces assembly time significantly while maintaining secure connection through the unified design.
3Device complexity
If a dovetail-shaped groove is used to connect the sealing disc, then additional fastening components are eliminated, but the connection becomes difficult to establish requiring radial deformation of the sealing disc
Solution Approach 1:
The connecting structure features a localized engagement geometry where the sealing disc includes a connecting element with a specific profile that mates with a corresponding feature on the bearing ring. This localized design allows for easy connection without requiring radial deformation of the entire sealing disc, while still eliminating the need for additional fastening components.
4Reliability
If the sealing disc is pressed into the bore of the bearing ring with an elastic edge layer, then the elastic edge layer expands into a circumferential groove for sealing, but the process requires elaborate forming steps and is suitable only for mass production
Solution Approach 1:
The connecting structure integrates the sealing function directly into the connection mechanism, where the sealing disc includes a connecting element that engages with a corresponding feature on the bearing ring to provide both mechanical connection and sealing in a single integrated design. This eliminates the need for separate elastic edge layers and elaborate forming steps, making the solution suitable for both mass production and low-volume applications.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution allows for a simple, secure, and efficient connection of sealing discs to bearing rings without additional components, maintaining the strength of the bearing rings and preventing lubricant leakage, while reducing assembly complexity and time.
Implementation Method 1
one edge of which is provided with a sealing lip made of an elastic material
Data Source
AI summary
A rolling bearing has an inner and an outer bearing ring. Each bearing ring has an inner and an outer shell surface. The roller bearing has rolling elements, which roll on raceways provided on the respective shell surfaces of the bearing rings, and a sealing disc connected to one of the bearing rings and operatively connected in a sealing manner to the other bearing ring. To connect the sealing disc to the bearing ring, one of the shell surfaces of the one bearing ring includes a first connecting means and the sealing disc includes a second connecting means. The first connecting means provide a rotating engagement in which the second connecting means engage in a connected state of the bearing ring and the sealing disc.