Universal Joint Bearing Seal Unit for Push-On Grease Retention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing universal joint bearings require complex assembly processes and often need re-greasing, which increases costs and inefficiencies.
Innovation Solution
A structural unit comprising a cup with a sealing ring and a shield, where the sealing ring has at least one sealing lip pointing axially towards the cup's bottom, allowing for easy assembly by pushing the unit onto the trunnion, and featuring a metal and elastomeric ring configuration for reliable sealing and fixation, thereby retaining grease within the bearing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the sealing ring is configured with sealing lips pointing axially towards the cup bottom, then grease retention is improved, but the assembly complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing lips are pre-configured on the sealing ring to point axially towards the cup bottom before assembly. This preliminary configuration ensures that when the structural unit is assembled by simple pushing, the sealing lips are already positioned to effectively retain grease, eliminating the need for complex post-assembly adjustments or additional sealing mechanisms.
2Productivity
If the structural unit is designed for simple push-on assembly to the trunnion, then assembly time is reduced, but assembly reliability may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The design segments the universal joint bearing into a modular structural unit (cup, sealing ring, and shield assembled together) that can be pushed onto the trunnion as a single unit. This segmentation allows for rapid assembly while maintaining reliability because the internal components are pre-assembled and secured relative to each other, ensuring proper positioning and function upon installation.
3Ease of operation
If the cup region is spaced away from the central axis to facilitate force application on the shield, then ease of assembly is improved, but structural compactness is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The cup acts as an intermediary element that transmits assembly forces from the shield to the trunnion. By spacing the cup region away from the central axis, operators can easily apply force to the shield through the cup during assembly, while the cup itself mediates this force transmission to ensure proper installation without compromising the overall structural integrity.
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 solution simplifies the assembly process, reduces the number of assembly steps, and ensures the grease is retained, eliminating the need for re-greasing, while providing effective sealing and increased load capacity.
Implementation Method 1
the sealing ring comprises at least one sealing lip which points in a direction with an axial component pointing towards the bottom... grease which is contained initially in the universal joint bearing is retained there for all time
Implementation Method 2
an elastomeric ring of the sealing ring contacts the shield at a radially inner surface of the shield... an early blockade of intruding dust is accomplished
Data Source
AI summary
A structural unit for assembly to a trunnion of a universal joint bearing providing a cup, a sealing ring, which is fixed to the cup, and a shield, which is connected to the cup in a state in which the structural unit is not assembled to the trunnion. The cup includes a bottom and the sealing ring provides at least one sealing lip that points in a direction with an axial component towards the bottom.