CN105317847B

CN105317847B - Insert for a rolling bearing seal, universal joint and bearing bush

Info

Publication number: CN105317847B
Application number: CN201510461239.3A
Authority: CN
Inventors: C.布朗; S.克里内斯
Original assignee: SKF AB
Current assignee: SKF AB
Priority date: 2014-07-30
Filing date: 2015-07-30
Publication date: 2021-05-11
Anticipated expiration: 2035-07-30
Also published as: CN105317847A; DE102014215000A1; DE102014215000B4; BR102015018187A2; BR102015018187B1

Abstract

The invention relates to a sealing device (11) for a rolling bearing, comprising an insert (12), wherein the insert comprises a pretensioning structure (19) which is designed to pretension rolling elements (15) of the rolling bearing in the axial direction, wherein the pretensioning structure (19) is formed integrally with the insert (12); the sealing device also comprises at least one sealing body (18) which is designed to close a gap between the housing (13) and a component rotatably mounted in the housing (13), wherein the sealing device (11) is at least partially inserted into the gap; wherein the insert (12) has at least one section protruding from the sealing body (18) and serving as a retaining structure (21); wherein the holding structure is designed to fix the insert (12) and/or the sealing device (11) to the housing (13). The invention further relates to a joint having a bearing bush (13) and/or a bearing bush (13) having the aforementioned sealing device (11), wherein the sealing device (11) is at least partially embedded in the bearing bush (13).

Description

Insert for a rolling bearing seal, universal joint and bearing bush

Technical Field

The invention relates to an insert for a sealing arrangement of a rolling bearing, to a sealing arrangement having the insert, to a bearing bush having the sealing arrangement, and to a universal joint having the bearing bush.

Background

The sealing device may be used in a number of bearing devices or rolling bearings. The gap between the housing and the component, which is rotatably arranged in the housing, is in most cases sealed by means of a sealing device. For different reasons, for example to stabilize or stiffen the sealing device or also to fix the sealing device to the housing, the sealing device may comprise inserts or supporting rings or similar structures.

The sealing device with the insert can be used, for example, in a bearing bush for a joint (possibly a universal joint or a universal joint). In order to ensure a permanent functionality of the joint or bearing bush, it is necessary to seal the gap which is present between the bearing bush and the journal in which the bearing is rotatably mounted, as a result of the design. The sealing device used here should prevent the lubricant stored in the bearing bush from flowing out and on the other hand prevent or at least reduce the ingress of contaminants from the environment into the interior of the bearing bush.

Fig. 2 shows a schematic representation of a cross section of a conventional sealing arrangement 1 with a conventional insert 2 for a bearing bush 3 of a universal joint. The entire joint is not shown, but only the region 4, in which the non-illustrated journal of the joint is arranged, which is rotatably arranged in the bearing bush 3. Between the region 4 for the bearing journal and the bearing bush 3, a plurality of cylindrical rolling elements are arranged, of which rolling elements 5 can be seen.

The sealing arrangement 1 has an outer sealing ring 6 and an inner sealing ring 7, which are arranged axially adjacent to one another. The inner sealing ring 7 has a sealing body 8 and an insert 2 which is arranged partially inside the sealing body 8. The inner sealing ring 7 is arranged axially spaced apart from the rolling elements 5 on the inner circumference of the bearing cartridge 3 and is connected in a rotationally fixed and sealing manner to the bearing cartridge 3. The section of the insert 2 protruding from the sealing body 8 of the inner sealing ring 7 engages in a recess in the inner circumference of the bearing cartridge 3. The inner sealing ring 7 is thereby locked against axial displacement. This is required in particular by the action of the disk spring 9, which is arranged axially between the inner sealing ring 7 and the rolling bodies 5. The disk spring 9 presses the rolling bodies 5 axially against a stop disk, not shown, which rests against a bearing bush base, also not shown, and the disk spring 9 is supported on the inner sealing ring 7. Since the rolling bodies 5 are clamped in this way, the bearing bush 3 and the sealing device 1 and the rolling bodies 5 are handled as a unit and pushed over a bearing journal, not shown, as a unit. The disc spring 9 is a separate component which is assembled as a separate part when the sealing device 1 is assembled.

In summary, a large number of individual parts have to be provided and assembled in the preassembly of the bearing cartridge 3 with the rolling bodies 5, the sleeve itself, the inner and

outer sealing rings

7 and 8 and the disc spring 9. The assembly and production of the different individual components is therefore sometimes relatively complex and cumbersome. Said increased expenditure with regard to the assembly, storage and preparation of the individual parts can of course also occur in sealing solutions for other bearings, for example when the sealing device is arranged on the outer drawing of the rolling bearing.

Patent document JP 2002106593 a discloses a universal joint capable of preventing wear of a metal ring body and preventing a seal element from slipping off a bearing housing by suppressing skewing of a needle roller.

Disclosure of Invention

The object of the invention is therefore to improve the technical solution for sealing a rolling bearing, in particular with regard to a simple assembly.

The object is achieved by a sealing arrangement for a rolling bearing having an insert, wherein the insert has a pretensioning structure which is designed for axially pretensioning the rolling elements of the rolling bearing and is formed integrally with the insert; the sealing device also has at least one sealing body which is designed to close a gap between the housing and a component which is rotatably mounted in the housing, the sealing device being at least partially inserted into the gap;

wherein the insert has at least one section protruding from the sealing body, the section serving as a retaining structure;

wherein the holding structure is designed to fix the insert and/or the sealing device to the housing.

In the sealing arrangement according to the invention for a rolling bearing with an insert, the pretensioning means of the insert, which is designed for axially pretensioning the rolling bodies of the rolling bearing, is formed integrally with the insert. By having the pretensioning structure not be a separate member, the number of separate parts can be reduced in some embodiments. Thus reducing the number of assembly steps or simplifying assembly if necessary.

In some embodiments, the pre-tensioning structure comprises a disc spring. A pretensioning similar to or even identical to that of conventional systems in which a detachable disc spring is inserted between the insert and the rolling body can thus be achieved.

Additionally or alternatively, the insert comprises a retaining structure, which is designed to fix the insert and/or the sealing device on the housing. In some embodiments, the insert therefore also fulfills a fixing and/or retaining function and the sealing device is fixed at least in the axial direction and possibly even in the circumferential direction.

In addition or alternatively, the insert is at least partially designed as a stabilizing section for stabilizing the sealing device. In some embodiments, the sealing properties of the sealing device can thus be improved if necessary, since the deformation of the sealing device is limited at least in some regions by the stabilizing section.

Embodiments of the invention also relate to a sealing arrangement for a rolling bearing having an insert as described in at least one embodiment. The sealing device comprises a sealing body which is designed to seal a gap between the housing and a component which is rotatably mounted in the housing. Since the sealing device does not have to be assembled together with a separate disk spring or pretensioning structure, but rather the pretensioning structure is fixed to the insert, the sealing device can be assembled more easily and with a smaller number of separate parts in some embodiments.

The insert additionally comprises at least one arm which projects from the sealing body axially toward the rolling body and forms a pretensioning structure. In some embodiments, the pretensioning structure can thus be manufactured in a simple manner. The pretensioning structure may also comprise other components, such as a part of the section arranged inside the sealing body and/or the part of the sealing body itself.

Additionally, the insert in some embodiments has at least one further section extending from the sealing body, which serves as a retaining structure. The retaining structure extends beyond the axial extension of the sealing body, by means of which a simple and/or improved fixing of the sealing device on the housing can be achieved, if necessary even without deforming the sealing body.

Additionally or alternatively, in some embodiments the axially oriented end face of the pretensioning structure at least partially abuts an axially oriented end face of a sealing body arranged radially inside the insert. The pretensioning structure can thus be made to contribute to the reinforcement and/or stabilization of the sealing device or the sealing body.

In addition or alternatively, the sealing body is connected to the pretensioning structure in a form-fitting manner. Thus, in some embodiments the insert together with the pretensioning structure and the sealing body can be assembled as one component.

Embodiments of the invention also relate to a universal joint having a bearing cartridge or a bearing cartridge having a sealing device according to at least one embodiment, wherein the sealing device is at least partially embedded in the bearing cartridge. In some embodiments the number of individual parts in the universal joint or bearing bush is thus reduced. This also reduces the assembly effort.

The embodiments disclosed in the foregoing description, in the drawings, and their individual features can all be used separately or in any combination to realize a multiplicity of variants of the embodiments.

Drawings

The invention is explained in detail below with the aid of the figures. In the drawings:

fig. 1 shows a schematic representation of a cross-sectional view of a sealing arrangement with an insert according to an embodiment on a bearing cartridge.

Fig. 2 shows a schematic representation of the already described cross-sectional view of a conventional sealing arrangement on a bearing bush.

Detailed Description

In the following description of the figures, which only show some exemplary embodiments, identical or functionally identical components are provided with the same reference numerals. Furthermore, general reference numerals may be used for components and objects, which appear in the exemplary embodiments or figures several times, but are described jointly in view of one or more features. Components or objects which are described with the same or generalized reference numerals can be embodied identically in their individual features, a plurality of features or all features, for example in their dimensions, but also differently if necessary, as long as nothing else is explicitly or implicitly derived from the description.

Fig. 1 shows a schematic representation of a cross-sectional view of a sealing arrangement 11 with an insert 12 according to an embodiment on a bearing bush 13. The insert 12 for the sealing device 11 of the rolling bearing comprises a pretensioning structure 19 which is designed to pretension the rolling bodies 15 of the rolling bearing in the axial direction m. The prestressing structure 19 is formed integrally with the insert 12.

The axial direction m is here a direction parallel to the axis of rotation of the rolling bearing in which the sealing device 11 or the insert 12 is arranged. Depending on the bearing design or shape of the rolling bearing, the direction of the force or force exerted by the prestressing structure 19 on the rolling bodies 15 is oriented parallel to the axial direction, or may enclose an angle of 0 ° to 15 ° with the axial direction in both directions.

In the embodiment of fig. 1, the pretensioning structure 19 is a disc spring. In further exemplary embodiments, which are not shown, the prestressing structure can be or comprise any component which is designed to axially prestress the rolling bodies of the roller bearing, for example an elastic element made of an elastomer, a spring, a spiral spring, a bending spring, a helical spring, a diaphragm spring, a leaf spring, an elastomer spring and/or the like.

In the embodiment of fig. 1, the rolling bodies 15 are needle rollers for the bearing bush 13 in the universal joint. In further exemplary embodiments, which are not shown, all other possible rolling bodies can also be provided, which realize a movable mounting of the component relative to the housing, such as cylindrical rollers, tapered rollers, balls, barrel rollers and/or the like. In conventional universal joint bearings, disc springs are usually used between the main seal or seal and the rolling element group (as shown in fig. 2) in order to axially prestress the rolling elements or the needle group used as rolling elements. For this purpose, the disk spring is mostly used as a separate component. In the insert 12 of the embodiment of fig. 1, the function of the counter-belleville spring or pretensioning means 19 is integrated into the insert 12, the insert 12 also being referred to as the insert structure of the sealing device 11. The component and assembly costs, the component itself and the assembly process can therefore be saved during assembly.

The entire joint is not shown in fig. 1, but only the region 14 of the not shown journal for the joint, which journal is rotatably mounted in the bearing bush 13 and is introduced into the interior of the bearing bush 13 from the first axial end 20 of the bearing bush 13. Between the region 14 for the bearing journal and the bearing bush 13, in addition to the rolling bodies visible in fig. 1, a plurality of cylindrical rolling bodies are arranged, which are spaced apart from one another in the circumferential direction. The rolling bodies 15 may be lubricated in some cases by a lubricant. The journals and the rolling bodies 15 are each supported axially against a stop disk, not shown, on the base plate of the bearing bush 13, which is located on the end of the bearing bush 13 opposite the first axial end 20. In the region of the first axial end 20, there is (when the bearing journal is assembled) an annular gap between the bearing journal and the bearing bush 13, which is closed off by the sealing device 11.

The sealing device 11 has an outer sealing ring 16 and an inner sealing ring 17 containing the insert 12. The two sealing rings 16 and 17 are arranged axially adjacent to each other. The outer sealing ring 16 is arranged here outside the bearing bush 13 in the region of the first axial end 20 of the bearing bush 13. An inner sealing ring 17 with an insert 12 and a pretensioning 19 is arranged inside the bearing bush 13 and abuts directly against the rolling bodies 15.

The inner sealing ring 17 has, in addition to the insert 12 with the prestressing structure 19 (which is also referred to as a support ring), a sealing body 18 with a part 18-a which bears radially outward against the insert and a part 18-b which bears radially inward against the insert. The insert 12 is thus at least partially disposed within the sealing body 18. The section of the insert 12 which is arranged inside the sealing body 18 or axially overlaps the sealing body 18 and contacts the sealing body 18 is referred to as a stabilizing section 23, which serves to stabilize the sealing device 11 or the inner sealing ring 17.

The sealing body 18 may be made of a fluoroelastomer, other elastomeric material, and/or other elastomeric material. The insert 12 and/or the pretensioning means 19 can be made of all possible materials, for example metal, steel or spring steel. The insert 12 and the pretensioning structure 19 can be made of the same material. The material of the sealing body 18 is different from the material of the insert 12, for example. The seal body 18 is connected or integrated with the insert 12 in the embodiment shown in fig. 1. For this purpose, the insert has an opening(s), not shown, at which the radially outer part 18-b and the radially inner part 18-a meet and are connected to one another. In further exemplary embodiments, which are not shown, the openings can be omitted and/or the radially outer sealing body can also be at least partially or even completely omitted. For example, the sealing body and the insert can be attached to one another in a form-fitting and/or friction-fitting manner. The insert is, for example, a component which at least partially bears against the sealing body. The insert may be of a harder or less elastic material than the sealing body.

The insert 12 with the prestressing structure 19 is produced as a stamped part. In other embodiments not shown, the integration may be achieved in other ways and methods. The integral connection of the two components, for example the insert and the pretensioning structure, is achieved, for example, by connecting the two components, for example, by a positive-fit and/or non-positive connection, for example, by riveting, welding, crimping, screwing, soldering, gluing and/or the like. Alternatively, the two components can also be produced in one piece, for example as a punch, a forging, a casting, a cut-out component or the like.

The insert 12 has a Z-shape in cross-section with two arms extending from the seal body 18. The arms are each connected axially opposite to the above-described stabilizing section 23 in the interior of the sealing body 18. One arm serves at least in some regions as a holding structure 21 and is designed in a stepped manner. The retaining structure 21 extends axially beyond the sealing body 18 to a radial height at which the retaining structure 21 projects from the sealing body 18 and to the side facing axially away from the prestressing structure 19. By means of the holding structure 21, the sealing device 11 can be fixed on the bearing bush 13 or other housing, for example in the outer ring or in a bore in the housing. In order to fix the sealing device 11 or the sealing ring 17 in the circumferential direction, the holding structure may have a diameter on its outer circumference which forms an interference fit with the inner surface of the bearing bush 13.

The other arm, which projects from the sealing body 18 axially towards the rolling bodies 15, comprises the pretensioning means 19 described above. The prestressing structure 19 bears at least in some regions with an axially directed end face against an end face of the component 18-a of the sealing body 18, which is also axially directed. The prestressing structure 19 does not abut against the axially oriented end face 24 of the part 18-b of the sealing body 18.

The sealing body 18 or the component 18-a is spaced apart from the prestressing structure 19 in a region radially inside the diameter m, on which the rolling bodies 15 are arranged with their center points. In other exemplary embodiments, which are not shown, the prestressing structure can also continue to bear radially inward or outward against the sealing body.

The inner sealing ring 17 is also arranged axially spaced apart next to the rolling bodies 15 on the inner circumference of the bearing bush 13 and is connected in a rotationally fixed and sealed manner to the bearing bush 13. This is achieved, on the one hand, in that the sealing body 18-b of the inner sealing ring 17 bears against the bearing bush 3 with pretension. On the other hand, the retaining structure 21 of the insert 12, which projects from the sealing body 18, engages in the recess of the inner circumference of the bearing bush 13, i.e. engages in the axial stop 22, as described above. In some embodiments of the radially outer member without a seal body, the retaining structure is secured relative to the bearing cartridge by only an interference fit. In other embodiments, not shown, these connections can be made relative to a further housing in which the journal or other component is rotatably supported.

The inner sealing ring 17 is locked against axial sliding by a retaining structure 21. This is particularly desirable in view of the function of the pretensioning structure 19. The prestressing structure 19 presses the rolling bodies 15 axially against a stop disk, not shown, which is arranged on the bottom, not shown, and on the side of the bearing bush 13 facing away from the sealing device 11. Since the rolling bodies 15 are clamped in this way, the bearing bush 13 containing the sealing device 11 and the rolling bodies 15 can be handled as a unit and pushed onto the bearing journal.

On the inner circumference of the sealing body 18 of the inner sealing ring 17, a sealing lip 27 is formed, which in the assembled state rests on the bearing journal. The sealing lip 27 can be pressed onto the bearing journal by a circumferential helical spring (which is also referred to as a thread spring). In the vicinity of the sealing lip 27, a sealing lip 29 is formed, which has a very long extended shape and which, by an orientation deviating radially outward from the axial direction, extends toward the outer sealing ring 16 and bears against the sealing body thereof. In other embodiments, not shown, the second sealing lip may also be eliminated or have another shape. Optionally, the sealing ring has a further sealing lip.

The outer sealing ring 16 is axially fixed in a radial groove 30, which is located on a radially outwardly directed face of the bearing bushing 13, which may also be another housing or other outer figure. The outer sealing ring 16 likewise has a sealing body 31 and a support ring 32 or an insert. The sealing body 31 of the outer sealing ring 16 is preferably made of a fluoroelastomer or other elastomeric material. The bearing ring 32 of the outer sealing ring 16 is made of metal and has a C-shaped cross section.

Even if water or other foreign objects penetrate into the region sealed by the outer sealing ring 16, they do not reach into the interior of the bearing bush 13, but can be blocked by the inner sealing ring 17, which can also be referred to as a sealing arrangement for a joint bush with an integrated disc spring. In some embodiments, not shown, the sealing means comprise only an inner sealing ring. It can also optionally be combined with other external sealing rings, for example sealing rings without inserts or with a different number of sealing lips.

The insert and/or the sealing device according to one embodiment can also be used in all possible rolling bearings (not only as shown in the figures) for bearing bushes of universal joints. For example, the sealing device and/or the insert can be used in all possible bearings, which for example rotatably support two components, for example in a vehicle, in a working machine, on a shaft, in a transmission, in a joint shaft, in a joint bush and/or the like. The bearings are here, for example, ball bearings, tapered roller bearings, needle roller bearings, cylindrical roller bearings and/or the like arranged in one or more rows.

The embodiments disclosed in the preceding description and in the drawings and their individual features can be implemented individually as well as in any combination in a plurality of structural variants of the embodiments.

List of reference numerals

1 sealing device

2 insert

3 bearing bush

4 area for journal

5 rolling element

6 external sealing ring

7 inner sealing ring

8 sealing body

9 disc spring

11 sealing device

12 insert

13 bearing bush

14 area for axle journals

15 rolling element

16 outer sealing ring

17 inner seal ring

18 seal

19 pretension structure

20 axial end portion

21 holding structure

22 axial stop

23 stabilizing section

24 end face

27 sealing lip

28 helical spring

29 sealing lip

30 radial grooves

31 sealing body

32 support ring

M axial direction

Claims

1. A sealing arrangement (11) for a rolling bearing having an insert (12), wherein the insert has a pretensioning structure (19) which is designed to pretension rolling bodies (15) of the rolling bearing in the axial direction; wherein the pretensioning structure (19) and the insert (12) are integrally formed;

the sealing device (11) comprises at least one sealing body (18) which is designed to close a gap between the housing (13) and a component rotatably mounted in the housing (13), wherein the sealing device (11) is at least partially inserted into the gap;

wherein the insert (12) has at least one section projecting axially away from the rolling bodies (15) from the sealing body (18) and serving as a retaining structure (21);

wherein the holding structure is designed to fix the insert (12) and/or the sealing device (11) to the housing (13);

wherein the insert (12) is arranged at least partially in the sealing body (18), and the section of the insert (12) arranged in the sealing body (18) is designed as a stabilizing section (23) for stabilizing the sealing device (11),

wherein the sealing body (18) is connected to the pretensioning structure (19) in a form-fitting manner.

2. A sealing arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the insert (12) comprises at least one arm extending axially from the sealing body (18) towards the rolling body (15), which arm forms the pretensioning arrangement (19).

3. A sealing device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the pretensioning structure (19) comprises a disc spring.

4. The sealing arrangement as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein an axially oriented end face of the prestressing structure (19) bears at least partially against an axially oriented end face of the sealing body (18) arranged radially inside the insert (12).

5. A joint having a bearing bush (13) and a sealing device (11) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the sealing device (11) is at least partially embedded in the bearing bush (13).

6. Bearing cartridge (13) having a sealing arrangement (11) according to one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the sealing arrangement (11) is at least partially embedded in the bearing cartridge (13).