Sealing Device Lip Geometry Reduces Torque and Leakage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional sealing devices in rolling bearings experience excessive torque and leakage due to temperature changes, allowing air and lubricant to escape or foreign matter to enter, as the press-contacting force of the second axial lip varies significantly, leading to reduced durability and sealing effectiveness.
Innovation Solution
The sealing device features a core metal member and elastic member with specific lip and flange configurations that maintain a consistent press-contacting force, reducing torque and preventing air and lubricant leakage, while the absence of a tightening member like a garter spring minimizes excessive resiliency and wear, enhancing durability and sealing performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a garter spring is used to press the second axial lip radially inwardly, then the sealing function is improved, but the torque becomes excessive
Solution Approach 1:
The invention removes the garter spring from the sealing device structure. By eliminating this component, the excessive radial inward pressure that caused high torque is removed, while the sealing function is maintained through the natural elasticity and geometric design of the remaining components.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the pressure application mechanism by removing the active garter spring force. The second axial lip's press-contacting force is now determined by passive elastic deformation and geometric constraints rather than active spring pressure, fundamentally changing the force parameters of the system.
2Reliability
If the second axial lip is always pressed radially inwardly, then contact with the radially-extending portion is maintained, but the press-contacting force becomes excessive causing wear
Solution Approach 1:
The invention creates a dynamic sealing system where the second axial lip can naturally adjust its position and contact force based on operating conditions. The lip transitions between contacting and non-contacting states with the radially-extending portion, allowing the system to adapt to temperature changes and wear without excessive force.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of maintaining constant full contact pressure, the invention allows the second axial lip to exert press-contacting force only when necessary for sealing. The contact is partial and conditional, occurring only when the lip naturally deflects to contact the radially-extending portion, rather than being continuously pressed.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the press-contacting force of the second axial lip varies significantly with temperature changes, then the sealing adapts to thermal expansion, but air and lubricant escape or foreign matter intrudes
Solution Approach 1:
The invention enables the sealing system to self-regulate through the natural elastic deformation of the second axial lip. The lip automatically adjusts its contact force in response to temperature-induced pressure changes without external control, maintaining sealing effectiveness through self-compensation rather than forced adaptation.
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 effectively reduces torque and prevents air and lubricant leakage, while extending the life of the sealing device by maintaining consistent press-contacting force and minimizing wear, thus ensuring reliable sealing performance across varying temperatures and conditions.
Implementation Method 1
an elastic member having a base portion fixed to the radially-extending portion, and a lip portion which is continuous with the base portion and slides on the slinger
Data Source
AI summary
A sealing device includes a bottom of an axial concave portion in a surface of an elastic member forming a radial lip, facing away from a flange portion in an axial direction overlaps an end face of a radially-extending portion of a core metal member, facing a tubular portion, in a radial direction. A bottom of a radial concave portion of the elastic member forming the radial lip, facing the tubular portion of a slinger is spaced from the end face of the core metal member toward a flange portion in the axial direction.