Vehicle Wheel Bearing Sealing Lip Flat Surface Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional bearing devices for vehicle wheels face design constraints due to the need for a larger outer diameter to accommodate the fitting part of the core bar, limiting design freedom and increasing weight, and risk contact between the fitting part and sealing lip when multiple sealing members are stacked.
Innovation Solution
A bearing device with an outer member featuring double-row outer rolling surfaces and an inner member with a small diameter step part, utilizing a sealing member with obliquely extending sealing lips and a flat surface between them, allowing the fitting part to be positioned radially inward, preventing contact and enabling a smaller outer diameter and reduced weight.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the fitting part of the core bar is formed on the radially outer side from the sealing lip, then the sealing member can be properly fitted, but the outer diameter of the outer member must be larger, which increases weight and limits design freedom
Solution Approach 1:
The patent repositions the fitting part from the radially outer side to the radially inner side of the sealing lip, changing the spatial arrangement dimension. This dimensional reconfiguration allows the outer member's outer diameter to be reduced while maintaining proper fitting functionality, thereby reducing weight and increasing design freedom.
2Weight of moving object
If the fitting part is formed on the radially inner side from the sealing lip, then the outer diameter can be reduced, but the fitting part and sealing lip may come into contact when multiple sealing members are stacked
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a flat surface on the sealing rubber at the radially outer side, creating a localized feature with different geometric properties. This flat surface serves as a stopping surface that prevents the fitting part of an upper sealing member from contacting the sealing lip of a lower sealing member when stacked, ensuring stacking stability while maintaining the reduced outer diameter design.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the outer diameter of the outer member is reduced, then weight decreases and design freedom increases, but the fitting part cannot be properly positioned without risking contact with the sealing lip
Solution Approach 1:
The flat surface on the sealing rubber acts as an intermediary element between the fitting part and the sealing lip. This intermediate flat surface prevents direct contact between these two components when sealing members are stacked, enabling the use of a smaller outer diameter while maintaining proper fitting assembly and preventing manufacturing issues.
Data Source
AI summary
A bearing device for vehicle wheel includes a sealing ring (71) that includes: a core bar (72) and sealing rubber (73). The sealing rubber (73) includes: a first sealing lip (73b) that is formed to the radial-direction outside of the fitting part (72a) and has a tip end part that is in sliding contact with a sealing plane part (3h); and a second sealing lip (73c) that is formed to the radial-direction inside of the fitting part (72a) and has a tip end part that is in sliding contact with the sealing plane part (3h). A flat surface (73e) that can be contacted by a press-fitting tool (P) and by the tip end part of the fitting part (72a) of another bearing device for vehicle wheel is formed between the first sealing lip (73b) and the second sealing lip (73c).