Hub Seal Side Lip Geometry for Low Torque Sealing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing hub seals face a limit in reducing torque resistance while maintaining necessary seal performance, as lowering the lip reaction force compromises seal effectiveness.

Innovation Solution

A method for manufacturing a hub seal that involves setting a rotation speed for positioning foreign bodies at a desired radial position and designing the side lip shape to achieve a desired torque value, adjusting thickness and length of the side lip to optimize torque and seal performance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of energy

If the lip reaction force of the seal lip is reduced to lower torque resistance, then torque resistance decreases, but seal performance deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetorque resistanceVSAvoidseal performance
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the shape parameters of the side lip (thickness, length, curvature radius) to optimize the balance between lip reaction force and torque resistance. By adjusting these geometric parameters, the seal achieves reduced torque resistance while maintaining adequate seal performance through precise control of the lip reaction force distribution.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements local quality by creating non-uniform thickness distribution along the side lip, with the thickness varying from the tip end to the root portion. This localized variation in thickness allows different sections of the side lip to have different mechanical properties, enabling the tip to exert sealing force while the root provides structural support, thus resolving the contradiction between torque resistance and seal performance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Loss of energy

If the shape of the side lip is modified to reduce torque, then torque resistance decreases, but foreign body positioning may be affected

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetorque resistanceVSAvoidforeign body shake-off performance
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses parameter changes by establishing specific relationships between the rotation speed, the curvature radius of the side lip tip, and the radial position where foreign bodies are positioned. By optimizing these parameters together, the seal achieves reduced torque resistance while maintaining effective foreign body shake-off performance through coordinated parameter adjustment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies dynamics by considering the rotational motion of the hub seal and how it affects foreign body positioning. The design accounts for the dynamic interaction between the rotating side lip and foreign bodies, ensuring that the shake-off function is maintained during rotation while achieving reduced torque resistance through optimized dynamic characteristics.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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 method allows for reducing torque resistance of the hub seal without compromising seal performance by effectively positioning foreign bodies and optimizing the side lip shape.

Implementation Method 1

setting a set rotation speed as a rotation speed at which a foreign body entering an internal portion of the hub seal is positioned at a desired position in a radial direction orthogonal to an axis line by rotation around the axis line

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCentrifugal force: Centrifugal Force

Data Source

PatentEP4589162A1Method for manufacturing hub seal
Publication Date: 2025.07.23 NOK CORP
  • EP4589162A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4589162A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4589162A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A method for manufacturing a hub seal according to an embodiment of the present invention includes: setting a set rotation speed as a rotation speed at which a foreign body entering an upstream space S of the hub seal (1) is positioned at a desired foreign-body surface position in a radial direction by rotation of the hub seal (1); designing a shape of a side lip (4) such that torque of the hub seal (1) at the set rotation speed becomes a desired value; and manufacturing the hub seal such that the hub seal becomes the hub seal (1) which has the designed shape of the side lip (4).