Bearing Seal Slinger With Multi-Labyrinth Foreign Matter Blocking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional sealing devices in bearing devices with relative and coaxial outer and inner members are prone to easy intrusion of foreign substances due to inadequate sealing mechanisms, which can be compromised by movement of components or require complex assembly processes.
Innovation Solution
A sealing device with a slinger attached to the flange by bolts, featuring a hollow disk-shaped main body, elastic seal, and cylindrical portions forming multiple labyrinths to prevent foreign substance intrusion, while ensuring secure sealing and easy assembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the lip of the seal member is arranged only in the vicinity of an object to be sealed, then the sealing structure is simple, but foreign substances easily reach and stay around the lip
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing structure is divided into multiple functional segments: the dust cover with its overhang portion forming a labyrinth seal, and the seal member with its lip. This segmentation creates multiple barriers against foreign substances while maintaining structural simplicity
Solution Approach 2:
The overhang portion of the dust cover acts as an intermediary element that forms a labyrinth seal, creating a preliminary barrier that prevents foreign substances from reaching the seal member lip, thus enhancing protection without complicating the overall structure
2Ease of manufacture
If the dust cover is press-fitted to the outer diameter of the flange, then assembly is simple, but the dust cover easily moves if deformation occurs in the inner member
Solution Approach 1:
The dust cover is press-fitted onto the flange in advance during assembly, establishing a preliminary secure connection that prevents movement even when deformation occurs in the inner member during operation
Solution Approach 2:
The press-fit connection is applied locally at the interface between the dust cover and flange, providing enhanced stability and resistance to movement without affecting the overall simplicity of the assembly process
3Device complexity
If the labyrinth seal is formed only by a tip portion of the dust cover, then the structure is simple, but foreign substances easily reach around the lip when the labyrinth seal does not function
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing function is segmented between the labyrinth seal formed by the dust cover overhang and the seal member lip, creating multiple lines of defense where each segment contributes to preventing foreign substance intrusion
Solution Approach 2:
The labyrinth seal formed by the overhang portion provides a preliminary protective barrier that cushions against foreign substance intrusion before they can reach the seal member lip, enhancing overall sealing reliability
4Object-affected harmful factors
If an O-ring is interposed between the flange and the slinger, then intrusion of muddy water is prevented, but assembling becomes complicated since work for attaching the O-ring is required
Solution Approach 1:
The O-ring sealing function is extracted and replaced by the integrated elastic seal member that is directly attached to the slinger, eliminating the need for separate O-ring installation while maintaining effective sealing against muddy water
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing function is merged into the slinger structure itself through the elastic seal member, combining the sealing element and the structural component into a single integrated unit that simplifies assembly while preventing muddy water intrusion
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
The device effectively prevents foreign substance intrusion through multiple labyrinths, maintaining sealing integrity without complex assembly and reducing torque requirements for rotation.
Implementation Method 1
an elastic seal (13) made of an elastic member and integrally formed around the insertion portions (12a) of the main body portion (12)
Implementation Method 2
a slinger cylindrical portion (14) extending from an inner diametrical side end portion of the main body portion (12) into the axial direction and forming a first labyrinth (41) by a gap between the slinger cylindrical portion (14) and an outer circumferential face (2b) of the outer member (2)
Data Source
AI summary
A sealing device to be provided in a bearing device for sealing an annular gap between an outer member and a flange. The sealing device includes a slinger attached to the flange by bolts press-fitted into a plurality of bolt holes provided at the flange. The slinger includes a main body portion in a hollow disk shape having insertion portions into which the bolts are inserted, an elastic seal being made of an elastic member and being integrally formed around the insertion portions of the main body portion, and a slinger cylindrical portion extending from an inner diametrical side end portion of the main body portion into axial direction and forming a first labyrinth by a gap between the slinger cylindrical portion and an outer circumferential face of the outer member.