Multi-Lip Bearing Seal for Axial Displacement Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing rolling bearings face challenges in maintaining secure sealing, especially during axial displacement of the rings relative to each other, which can lead to leakage of water, moisture, and dirt, particularly under axial loads.
Innovation Solution
The sealing arrangement includes a third sealing lip positioned axially outside the second sealing lip, forming a sealing gap with the inner ring's circumferential surface section, and is elastically connected to a circumferential sealing lip carrier that carries the first and second sealing lips, ensuring continuous sealing contact even during axial displacement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a single sealing lip is used to seal the bearing interior, then the sealing structure is simple, but the sealing reliability deteriorates during axial displacement of the rings
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing ring is divided into multiple independent sealing lips (first sealing lip, second sealing lip, and third sealing lip) that can deform independently. Each sealing lip contacts a different surface section of the inner ring, creating multiple sealing lines that work together to maintain sealing reliability during axial displacement while keeping each individual lip structure relatively simple.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing arrangement extends sealing protection into the axial dimension by adding the third sealing lip that contacts the axial end surface of the inner ring. This multi-dimensional sealing approach ensures that even when axial displacement occurs, at least one sealing lip maintains contact with the inner ring across different spatial dimensions.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the sealing lip is made rigid to maintain constant contact pressure, then the contact pressure stability is improved, but the ability to accommodate axial displacement deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing lips are designed as elastic elements that can dynamically deform in response to axial displacement between the inner and outer rings. This dynamic flexibility allows the sealing lips to maintain contact with the inner ring surfaces while accommodating changes in relative position, ensuring continuous sealing effectiveness without requiring rigid structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic sealing lips can change their deformation parameters (degree of bending, contact pressure distribution) in response to axial displacement. This parameter adaptability allows the sealing system to maintain effective sealing contact under varying operating conditions while accommodating axial movement between bearing components.
3Reliability
If multiple sealing lips are added to ensure sealing during axial displacement, then the sealing effectiveness is improved, but the friction and wear increase
Solution Approach 1:
Each sealing lip is designed to contact a specific local surface section of the inner ring (cylinder jacket-shaped surface, circumferential surface, or axial end surface). This localized sealing approach concentrates the sealing function at specific contact points rather than requiring continuous contact across the entire surface, reducing overall friction and wear while maintaining sealing effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic sealing lips dynamically adjust their contact pressure and contact area based on operating conditions. During normal operation, they maintain minimal necessary contact for sealing. During axial displacement, they deform to maintain contact and prevent leakage. This dynamic behavior reduces unnecessary friction and wear while ensuring sealing when needed.
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 configuration maintains a high level of sealing effectiveness by ensuring at least one sealing lip remains in contact with the inner ring during axial loads, preventing water and dirt ingress, and allows for axial displacement without compromising the sealing integrity.
Implementation Method 1
When the outer ring rotates, a centrifugal force acts on the sealing lip, causing it to deform and the end section to move along its path of travel
Implementation Method 2
The sealing lip can deform elastically to rotate radially outward due to the centrifugal force
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5
AI summary
The present invention relates firstly to a seal for sealing a first machine part (01) with respect to a second machine part (02) which is rotatable about an axis relative to the first machine part (01). The seal comprises a sealing ring (04) to be arranged on the first machine part (01) and comprising a first resilient sealing lip (11) and a second resilient sealing lip (12). The first sealing lip (11), in a nominal position of the seal, lies against a cylinder jacket-shaped surface section (16) of the second machine part (02). The second sealing lip (12), in a nominal position of the seal, lies against a circumferential surface section (21) of the second machine part (02) extending at least partially in the radial direction. The second sealing lip (12) is arranged in the axial direction between the circumferential surface section (21) of the second machine part (02) extending at least partially in the radial direction and the cylinder jacket-shaped surface section (16) of the second machine part (02). The invention further relates to a bearing arrangement comprising the seal according to the invention.