Roller Bearing Seal Structure for Pollutant Extraction and Low Torque
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing rolling bearing sealing solutions for motor vehicle wheel bearings face issues with high friction torque, operating temperature, and premature wear due to pollutant contamination, and previous attempts to mitigate this with deflectors have not effectively facilitated the extraction of pollutants, leading to permanent pollution of the friction section.
Innovation Solution
A rolling bearing with a sealing device featuring a U-shaped geometry and inclined deflector and sealing elements that guide pollutants towards the opening, allowing for extraction by gravity and centrifugation, while maintaining reduced sealing clearance and radial compactness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a sealing device with dynamic sealing element is used to prevent lubricant leaks and contamination, then sealing performance is improved, but friction torque increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing device incorporates a relief groove at the downstream end of the friction lip, creating a localized zone that reduces pressure and friction in the critical sealing area. This local modification allows the sealing lip to maintain contact for effective sealing while reducing overall friction torque through the relief groove mechanism
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a deflector with U-shaped geometry is added to form an internal compartment for pollutant recovery, then pollutant extraction is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The deflector with U-shaped geometry is integrated directly into the reinforcement structure of the sealing device, merging the pollutant extraction function with the existing sealing components. The deflector forms an internal compartment by utilizing the reinforcement's structural elements, eliminating the need for separate extraction mechanisms
Solution Approach 2:
The deflector extends into the chamber along the axial direction, creating a three-dimensional internal compartment structure within the two-dimensional sealing plane. This axial extension allows pollutant recovery without adding radial complexity to the sealing device
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the deflector geometry is optimized to facilitate pollutant extraction by gravity, then pollutant removal efficiency is improved, but sealing clearance increases
Solution Approach 1:
The deflector features a curved, U-shaped geometry that smoothly guides pollutants toward the opening for extraction. The curved surface optimizes gravitational flow paths for pollutant removal while maintaining a compact form factor that does not compromise sealing clearance
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 solution enhances dynamic sealing and facilitates the removal of pollutants, reducing friction torque and wear, and maintaining effective sealing while preventing pollutant entry and leakage.
Implementation Method 1
a dynamic sealing element which has at least one lip arranged in contact rubbing against a section of the wall
Implementation Method 2
facilitates the extraction by gravity of any pollutants that may have entered said interface
Implementation Method 3
forming with the deflector a reduced sealing gap between the opening and the external compartment
Data Source
Figure 1a
AI summary
The invention relates to a bearing equipped with a sealing device comprising: a frame (10) integral with a first component (1), which has a downstream sector (10a) carrying a sealing element (11) and having a U-shaped geometry formed of a substantially axial base (13a) bordered by two internal (13b) and external (13c) walls, said external wall being extended by a deflector (11c) which, with the U-shaped geometry, separates the sealing chamber (6) into two internal (6a) and external (6b) compartments; a wall (12) integral with the second organ (2), which has an external section (12c) forming with the deflector (11c) a reduced sealing gap (14) between the external opening (7) of the chamber (6) and the external compartment (6b), the deflector (11c) having an external face (17a) disposed in the external compartment (6b) by being inclined towards the opening (7) at an angle β between 10° and 80° with respect to a radial direction.