Elastomeric Sealing Flange for Rolling Bearing Misalignment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Rolling bearings face issues with decreased contact pressure and compromised sealing properties due to angular misalignment and wear over time, particularly with elastomeric seals and flanges, which allows contaminating particles to enter the bearing.

Innovation Solution

A rolling bearing design featuring an outer and inner ring with annular ribs and a sealing flange that is axially offset and elastically deformable, creating a closed annular space filled with lubricant, which maintains contact pressure and prevents particle intrusion through axial deformation and preloading, reducing friction torque and maintaining sealing effectiveness.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If a sealing flange is used to engage with the external lip of the seal, then contaminating particles are limited from reaching the internal lip, but contact pressure decreases over time due to wear and angular misalignment, compromising sealing properties

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontaminating particlesVSAvoidsealing properties

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The flange is designed to be elastically deformable in the axial direction, allowing it to dynamically adapt to wear and misalignment. The elastic deformation enables the flange to maintain contact pressure with the seal's external lip over time, compensating for wear and angular misalignment while preserving sealing effectiveness against contaminating particles.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The flange's elastic properties are utilized to change the contact pressure parameter dynamically. Through axial deformation, the flange adjusts its contact pressure with the seal, maintaining adequate sealing force despite wear and misalignment, thereby resolving the contradiction between particle protection and sealing reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Ease of manufacture

If the flange is made rigid to maintain structural stability, then manufacturing is simplified, but it cannot adapt to angular misalignment, causing contact pressure loss and seal degradation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveflange manufacturingVSAvoidangular misalignment compensation

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The flange is designed with elastic deformability in the axial direction, allowing it to flex and adapt to angular misalignment between bearing rings. This flexibility enables the flange to maintain proper contact with the seal's external lip despite misalignment, while still being manufacturable using standard elastic material processing techniques.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Object-affected harmful factors

If the seal and flange are in axial contact to prevent particle intrusion, then sealing is improved, but friction torque increases between the two sealing elements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveparticle intrusionVSAvoidfriction torque

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The axial contact between the flange and seal is localized to specific contact zones rather than extending over the entire surface. This localized contact approach maintains effective particle protection while minimizing the total contact area, thereby reducing friction torque and energy loss between the sealing elements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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 design enhances the sealing properties of rolling bearings by maintaining contact pressure and preventing contaminant entry, ensuring reliable operation over time with reduced friction and improved durability.

Implementation Method 1

the flange is elastically deformable at least in part in the axial direction, the flange being deformed axially by the axial contact with the seal

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

At least one closed annular space is delimited by the ribs and by the other sealing element. At least one lubricant is disposed inside the space

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhysical containment: Physical Containment

Data Source

PatentUS9546686B2Rolling bearing comprising a sealing flange

Publication Date: 2017.01.17 AB SKF SKF PATENT DEPARTMENT

AI summary

A rolling bearing comprising an outer ring, an inner ring, at least one row of rolling elements that are disposed radially between the rings, at least one seal forming a first sealing component that is fixed to one of the rings and engages with the other ring, and at least one flange forming a second sealing component that is fixed to the other ring and is offset axially with respect to the seal on the outer side of the bearing. At least one of the first and second sealing components comprises at least two annular ribs, the other sealing component being mounted axially in contact therewith. At least one closed annular space is delimited by the ribs and by the other sealing component. At least one lubricant is disposed inside the space.