Wheel Hub Labyrinth Seal Structure for Low-Friction Contaminant Blocking

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing sealing devices in vehicle wheel hubs experience high friction and wear due to sliding-contact lips, leading to increased energy consumption and damage from contaminants, while maintaining an effective hydraulic seal.

Innovation Solution

A sealing device comprising a rigid annular screen with elastomeric elements and labyrinth seals is inserted between rotating members, minimizing contact and using labyrinth seals to reduce friction and wear, while maintaining a high degree of reliability and sealing efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If sliding-contact lips are used to seal between rotating members, then hydraulic sealing is effective, but friction and wear increase leading to higher energy consumption

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesealing efficiencyVSAvoidenergy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the traditional sliding-contact mechanical sealing system with a magnetic field-based sealing system. Magnets are positioned in the annular cavity to create a magnetic field that acts on magnetic particles in the grease, forming a virtual barrier that prevents contaminant ingress without mechanical contact, thereby eliminating friction and energy loss while maintaining sealing effectiveness

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes the grease itself as a hydraulic medium to transmit the magnetic field effect throughout the annular cavity. The magnetic particles suspended in the grease respond to the magnetic field, creating a dynamic sealing barrier that moves with the grease flow while maintaining sealing integrity without mechanical contact

Inventive Principle:

Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

2Reliability

If sliding-contact lips are used to seal between rotating members, then hydraulic sealing is effective, but wear of sealing components increases due to contaminant damage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesealing efficiencyVSAvoidservice life of sealing components

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the traditional sliding-contact mechanical sealing system with a magnetic field-based sealing system. Magnets are positioned in the annular cavity to create a magnetic field that acts on magnetic particles in the grease, forming a virtual barrier that prevents contaminant ingress without mechanical contact, thereby eliminating friction and energy loss while maintaining sealing effectiveness

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces magnetic particles suspended in the grease as an intermediary medium. These particles respond to the magnetic field generated by the magnets, creating a dynamic sealing barrier that adapts to movement and pressure while preventing contaminant contact with any mechanical surfaces, thus eliminating wear

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If sliding-contact lips are used to seal between rotating members, then hydraulic seal is maintained, but friction increases leading to higher energy consumption

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesealing efficiencyVSAvoidfriction

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the traditional sliding-contact mechanical sealing system with a magnetic field-based sealing system. Magnets are positioned in the annular cavity to create a magnetic field that acts on magnetic particles in the grease, forming a virtual barrier that prevents contaminant ingress without mechanical contact, thereby eliminating friction and energy loss while maintaining sealing effectiveness

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 reduces energy consumption and wear of sealing components by minimizing contact, while effectively preventing contaminant ingress, thus ensuring long-term reliability and efficient sealing.

Implementation Method 1

a sealing device comprising a substantially rigid first annular screen (11) coupled integrally as one piece with an elastomeric first annular element (12)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

labyrinth seals to reduce friction and wear

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLabyrinth flow:

Data Source

PatentUS12398760B2Sealing device for insertion between two relatively rotating members and associated transmission assembly for vehicles

Publication Date: 2025.08.26 AB SKF SKF PATENT DEPARTMENT

AI summary

A transmission assembly for vehicles, including a rolling bearing having a sealing device composed of a first annular screen coupled with a stationary outer ring of the bearing and a second annular screen coupled with a rotating inner ring of the bearing. Radially outer first and second L-shaped portions of the first and second screens project axially from the bearing and towards a constant velocity joint, the first L-shaped portion having a first and a second annular lip which form with the second L-shaped portion a radial sequence of labyrinth seals. A third annular sealing lip may be arranged radially downstream of the sequence of labyrinth seals and cooperates in sliding contact with the second screen. An encoder may be mounted on the second L-shaped portion and may have an annular overhang which forms with the first lip a first labyrinth seal.