Wheel Hub Seal Assembly With Pre-Formed Polymer Covering
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sealing devices for wheel hub assemblies face issues with sealing material migration during interference fitting and high production costs due to the need for pre-treatment and expensive mold preparation in co-moulding processes.
Innovation Solution
A sealing device featuring a cup-shaped metal shield with a pre-formed polymer covering, such as rubber or thermoplastic, that is assembled independently and securely fastened to the metal shield without pre-treatment, using elastic deformation to ensure a stable and cost-effective static seal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If co-moulding process is used to assemble polymer covering on metal shield, then sealing performance is improved, but production cost increases due to pre-treatment and mold preparation
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing device is divided into two separate components: a metal shield and a polymer covering, which are assembled independently rather than co-moulded as a single piece. This segmentation eliminates the need for expensive pre-treatment and mold preparation while maintaining effective sealing through the independent assembly of the two components.
2Strength
If interference fitting is used to assemble metal shield into bearing, then assembly strength is improved, but sealing material migration occurs during fitting
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing structure is segmented into a metal shield component and a separate polymer covering component. The polymer covering is assembled independently onto the metal shield before installation, preventing sealing material migration during the interference fitting process into the bearing.
3Strength
If pre-treatment is applied to metal shield before co-moulding, then bonding strength is improved, but production complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing device is segmented into separately manufactured metal shield and polymer covering components that are assembled independently. This eliminates the need for pre-treatment processes and complex co-moulding operations, simplifying the production process while maintaining assembly strength through the independent assembly of the two components.
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 allows for easy and permanent assembly of the metal shield without pre-treatment, reducing production costs and maintaining effective static sealing performance, while avoiding material migration issues.
Implementation Method 1
using elastic deformation to ensure a stable and cost-effective static seal
Data Source
AI summary
Sealing device for a wheel hub assembly provided with a rolling bearing, the sealing device being provided with a shield mounted on an outer ring of the bearing and with an annular cylindrical wall having an inner lateral surface mounted on an outer lateral surface of a collar of the outer ring; and with a sealing material fixed to the shield and defined by a pre-formed annular covering of polymer material, preferably but not necessarily rubber or thermoplastic material, formed independently and separately from the shield and mounted on the shield.