Bearing Seal Anchoring With Inclined Groove Snap Ring Lock

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing bearing units face issues with sealing device detachment and grease leakage due to axial play in snap rings, which allows contaminants to enter and lubricant to escape, especially in applications with rotating components.

Innovation Solution

A bearing unit with an optimized anchoring system featuring an inclined groove in the radially outer ring that securely locks a snap ring, ensuring contact with the sealing screen and preventing rotation, thereby maintaining a stable seal and preventing grease leakage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a snap ring is used to anchor the sealing device, then the sealing device can be secured in place, but axial play in the snap ring allows the sealing device to detach and grease to leak

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesealing device anchoringVSAvoidgrease leakage

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The groove geometry parameters are optimized with specific dimensional relationships: the bottom surface width is 0.6-0.8 times the snap ring thickness, the inclined surface angle is 45-60 degrees, and the groove depth is 0.3-0.5 times the snap ring thickness. These parameter changes eliminate axial play while maintaining reliable anchoring.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Stability of the object's composition

If the snap ring is locked in the groove, then the sealing device remains stable, but the sealing device may still rotate inside the seat causing damage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesealing device positionVSAvoidrotation damage

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The anchoring system combines the snap ring (metallic material) with the optimized groove structure (bearing ring material) to create a composite anchoring mechanism that provides both axial and rotational constraint, preventing rotation damage while maintaining stability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

3Loss of substance

If the sealing device is anchored with a snap ring, then grease leakage is prevented, but centrifugal forces in rotating applications can still cause detachment

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegrease retentionVSAvoiddetachment resistance

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of substanceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The inclined surface of the groove is designed with a specific curvature and angle (45-60 degrees) that works synergistically with the snap ring's elastic deformation to create a mechanical lock that resists centrifugal forces, preventing detachment while retaining grease.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

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 optimized anchoring system effectively prevents the sealing device from detaching and ensures a robust, leak-proof seal, even under centrifugal forces, maintaining the integrity of both the outer and inner rings and preventing grease escape.

Implementation Method 1

an optimized anchoring system featuring an inclined groove in the radially outer ring that securely locks a snap ring

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical locking: Mechanical Fastener

Implementation Method 2

maintaining a stable seal and preventing grease leakage, even under centrifugal forces

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCentrifugal force: Centrifugal Force

Data Source

PatentUS11808298B2Bearing unit with optimized anchoring of the sealing device

Publication Date: 2023.11.07 AB SKF SKF PATENT DEPARTMENT

AI summary

A bearing unit having a radially outer ring, a radially inner ring, a row of rolling elements interposed between the outer ring and the inner ring, a shaped sealing screen interposed between the inner ring and the outer ring and stably inserted inside a first seat of the outer ring, and a snap ring stably inserted inside a second seat of the radially outer ring and interacting with the shaped screen so as to lock it in the first seat.