Wheel End Seal Interface with Tone Ring for Bearing Durability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current wheel end assemblies with tone rings face challenges in maintaining effective sealing to prevent lubricant leakage and contamination, particularly in configurations where a larger first wheel bearing is used, which can compromise durability and reliability.

Innovation Solution

The design incorporates a seal that extends continuously around the spindle and tone ring, axially positioned between the spindle mounting flange and the first wheel bearing, to inhibit lubricant leakage and contamination, while allowing for a larger first wheel bearing for improved durability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a larger first wheel bearing is used to improve durability, then reliability is improved, but sealing effectiveness deteriorates leading to lubricant leakage and contamination

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovedurabilityVSAvoidlubricant leakage and contamination

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The seal is divided into two distinct segments: a first seal portion that interfaces with the tone ring and a second seal portion that interfaces with the spindle. This segmentation allows each portion to be optimized for its specific function while working together to provide comprehensive sealing, enabling the use of larger bearings without compromising seal integrity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The tone ring serves as an intermediary element between the first wheel bearing and the seal assembly. The first seal portion seals against the tone ring rather than directly against the bearing, allowing the seal to maintain effectiveness while accommodating larger bearing sizes for improved durability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If a seal is positioned to interface with the tone ring and spindle, then sealing effectiveness is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelubricant leakage preventionVSAvoidseal configuration complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The seal assembly performs multiple functions through its two portions: the first seal portion seals between the tone ring and hub assembly while the second seal portion seals between the spindle and hub assembly. This multi-functionality is achieved within a single integrated seal component, improving sealing effectiveness without proportionally increasing complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The first and second seal portions are combined into a single integrated seal component rather than using separate seal elements. This merging simplifies the overall assembly process and reduces the number of parts while maintaining the dual sealing function against both the tone ring and spindle

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP3321529B1Wheel end assembly having a seal interface with a tone ring

Publication Date: 2019.07.03 ARVINMERITOR TECHNOLOGY LLC

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AI summary

A wheel end assembly (24) that has a spindle (80), a hub (82), a tone ring, and a seal assembly. The tone ring may be mounted to the hub and may have a tone ring opening that may extend around the spindle. The seal assembly may be disposed in the tone ring opening and may extend from the spindle to the tone ring.