Dual-Lip Shaft Seal Grease Point Layout to Minimize Leakage

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing shaft seal lubrication systems inefficiently apply lubricant, leading to excessive leakage and environmental pollution, necessitating a more targeted and environmentally safe application method.

Innovation Solution

A system comprising a shaft seal with strategically positioned grease points on both lips, applied using a mandrel, ensures precise and minimal lubricant application, with the first grease points on the sealing lip and second grease points on the dust lip, spaced and offset to prevent smearing and minimize leakage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional lubrication systems apply lubricant to shaft seals, then the shaft seal is lubricated, but excessive lubricant is used leading to leakage and environmental pollution

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelubrication effectivenessVSAvoidlubricant leakage
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The invention applies lubricant locally at specific grease points on the shaft seal lips rather than uniformly across the entire seal. The system strategically positions grease points on both the sealing lip and dust lip, applying lubricant only where contact and friction occur, thereby achieving effective lubrication while minimizing overall lubricant usage and preventing excessive leakage into the environment

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The invention segments the lubrication application by dividing it into discrete grease points distributed around the circumference of the shaft seal. Instead of continuous lubricant application, multiple localized grease points are positioned at specific axial and circumferential locations, allowing precise control of lubricant placement and quantity at each contact zone

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If grease points are applied on both lips of the shaft seal, then lubrication coverage is improved, but the complexity of the lubrication system increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelubrication coverageVSAvoidlubrication system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention incorporates grease points directly into the shaft seal structure during manufacturing, positioning lubricant application points in advance on both lips before the seal is installed. This preliminary integration of lubrication features into the seal design eliminates the need for separate external lubrication systems, reducing overall system complexity while ensuring comprehensive lubrication coverage at all critical contact points

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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

Achieves minimal lubricant usage while ensuring effective lubrication, reducing environmental contamination by minimizing grease leakage into the environment.

Implementation Method 1

a mandrel having first and second recesses, the first being axially spaced from the second, the first being uniformly spaced from each other in the circumferential direction, and the second being uniformly spaced from each other in the circumferential direction, grease is forced out through the first and second recesses

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGrease application through mandrel recesses:

Implementation Method 2

During operation, i.e., with the shaft inserted into the shaft seal, the grease points smear into one another, as each grease point is smeared in the circumferential direction or against the circumferential direction, particularly depending on the direction of rotation of the shaft

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSmearing of grease points: Friction

Data Source

PatentEP4237710B1Shaft sealing ring having lips, gearbox having a shaft sealing ring, and method for lubricating a shaft sealing ring
Publication Date: 2026.04.22 SEW EURODRIVE GMBH & CO KG
  • EP4237710B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4237710B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4237710B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a shaft sealing ring (3) having lips (4, 5), to a gearbox having a shaft sealing ring, and to a method for lubricating a shaft sealing ring, wherein an annular space region is formed axially, in particular in the axial direction, between a first lip (4) and a second lip (5), wherein first grease points (31) are applied on the side of the first lip facing the space region, and wherein second grease points (32) are applied on the side of the second lip facing the space region.