Rolling Bearing Seal Lip Structure for Lubricant Leakage Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing rolling bearing devices face inefficiencies in sealing and lubricant retention, leading to lubricant leakage and reduced performance over time.
Innovation Solution
A rolling bearing device design featuring an inner ring unit with an elevation farther from the axis of rotation than the sliding surface, combined with a spring element to press the sealing unit onto the surface, and an outer ring unit with a seal carrier and retaining plate forming a controlled gap, ensures effective sealing and lubricant retention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional sealing unit is used without an elevation structure, then the device structure is simple, but lubricant leakage occurs and sealing efficiency is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing unit is divided into multiple functional components: a sealing lip for contact with the sliding surface, a sealing body for structural support, and an elevation structure for lubricant retention. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function optimally, improving sealing efficiency without excessive complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The elevation structure acts as an intermediary element between the sealing unit and the lubricant. It creates a physical barrier that prevents lubricant from reaching the sealing lip, thereby enhancing sealing performance by eliminating a key source of sealing degradation
2Reliability
If the spring element presses the sealing unit firmly onto the surface, then sealing efficiency improves, but friction and wear increase
Solution Approach 1:
The spring element applies localized pressure only to the sealing lip contact area, ensuring firm sealing where needed while avoiding excessive pressure on the entire sealing unit. This localized application maintains sealing efficiency while reducing overall friction and wear
Solution Approach 2:
The spring element provides dynamic, self-adjusting pressure that adapts to wear and thermal expansion over time. This dynamic pressure maintenance ensures consistent sealing efficiency throughout the seal's operational life without causing excessive wear from static high pressure
3Use of energy by moving object
If lubricant is allowed to reach the sealing unit surface, then lubrication is maintained, but sealing performance degrades over time
Solution Approach 1:
The elevation structure extracts or removes the harmful interaction between lubricant and sealing lip by creating a physical barrier. This prevents lubricant from contaminating the sealing contact area while allowing lubrication to function in the bearing clearance
Solution Approach 2:
The elevation structure converts the potentially harmful presence of lubricant near the sealing unit into a beneficial arrangement where lubricant is contained in a specific zone, preventing it from reaching the sealing lip while maintaining its lubrication function elsewhere in the bearing
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 design achieves high efficiency and a long-lasting seal, preventing lubricant from reaching the surface and maintaining performance over time.
Implementation Method 1
a spring element that presses the part of the sealing unit onto the surface
Implementation Method 2
at least a part of the sealing unit slides on the surface in at least one operating state
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 2a~3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
The device has an inner ring unit (12) whose metal sheet element comprises a surface (14) on which a part (16) i.e. seal lip, of a sealing unit (10) slides in an operating mode. The inner ring unit comprises a projection (18) i.e. ledge. A portion (20) of the projection is at larger distance from a rotational axis (22) of the device than the surface of the inner ring unit. A spring element (24) pushes the part of the sealing unit on the surface of the inner ring unit. The region of the projection is at larger or equally large distance from the rotational axis than the spring element.