DE102011086242A1 - Rolling bearings, in particular clutch release bearings - Google Patents

Abstract

Rolling bearing, in particular clutch release bearing, having an inner ring, an outer ring rotatable relative to the inner ring and rolling elements received therebetween and at least one gap sealing annular sealing element received with an end portion in a groove of the outer ring or the inner ring, wherein the end portion (10, 18 ) of the sealing element (9, 23) is angled twice, wherein the first bend (11) includes a first predetermined angle (α) with the radial direction (12) of the rolling bearing and the second bend (13) has a second predetermined angle (β) with the radial direction, wherein the second angle is greater than the first angle (α).

Description

1.2.1 Field of the invention

The invention relates to a rolling bearing, in particular a clutch release bearing, with an inner ring, a relative to the inner ring rotatable outer ring and rolling elements received therebetween and at least one gap sealing annular sealing element which is received with an end portion in a groove of the outer ring or the inner ring.

1.3 Background of the invention

In rolling bearings, which are used as a clutch release bearing occurs in the engaged state of the clutch, when the engine and transmission are positively connected to each other, no relative movement. However, when the transmission is disconnected from the engine by disengaging the clutch, one bearing ring rotates while the other stops. There are known both clutch release bearing in which the outer ring rotates, as well as those in which the inner ring rotates. The rolling bearing used as a clutch release bearing requires a good seal, so on the one hand in view of the high prevailing centrifugal forces prevents the introduced into the clutch release bearing lubricant escapes from the camp, as well as a sealing element is required so that the penetration of foreign bodies, contaminants and liquids such Water is avoided. On the other hand, the friction torque of the clutch release bearing should not be increased by the seal.

In the EP 0 272 967 B1 a clutch release bearing is proposed in which a bent, angled sealing element seals the gap between the inner ring and outer ring.

In the JP 11-93972 A a rolling bearing for a clutch release bearing is described in which an annular sealing ring with a bias between the inner ring and outer ring is used to seal a bearing gap.

Although such seals and sealing elements have basically proven successful, the commonly used bent, rigid sealing rings have the problem that the components sometimes have considerable tolerances due to the manufacturing process, which may cause difficulties in assembly or later use. In the case of a sealing element located in the upper region of the tolerance zone, the case may arise in which the assembly with the inner ring and the outer ring is difficult, since an increased pressing force is required. On the other hand, if the seal or the sealing element is in the lower region of the tolerance field, the case may occur that the seal or the sealing element is not exactly received in the groove of the outer ring or the inner ring or not exactly abuts the edge provided for, so the required sealing can not be guaranteed. Although these problems occurring in practice could be eliminated by specifying a smaller tolerance field, tighter tolerances lead to sometimes sharply increasing manufacturing costs, so that this way is not effective.

The invention is therefore based on the object, a rolling bearing, in particular a clutch release bearing to specify that gewährleitstet a reliable seal even with the usual component tolerances.

1.4 Summary of the Invention

To solve this problem is provided according to the invention in a rolling bearing of the type mentioned that the end portion of the sealing element is bent twice, wherein the first bend includes a first predetermined angle with the radial direction of the bearing and the second bend includes a second predetermined angle with the radial direction wherein the second angle is greater than the first angle.

The invention is based on the recognition that in a clutch release bearing despite the expected component tolerances a secure seal can be achieved by the end portion of the sealing element is bent twice, resulting in a higher flexibility. This lower rigidity of the end portion of the sealing element allows better adaptability to any existing tolerances of the inner ring or the outer ring, whereby a correct fit of the end portion of the sealing element is ensured even in these cases. The doubly angled end portion of the sealing element acts similarly as a spring element, which allows a flexible adaptation to the component tolerances.

In the rolling bearing according to the invention, it is preferred that the first angle is 50 ° to 70 °, preferably approximately 60 °. This range has proved to be particularly favorable, so that the first bend can be adapted in any case to a tainted outer ring or inner ring. Similarly, in the rolling bearing according to the invention, it is preferable that the second angle is 60 ° to 80 °, preferably 70 ° to 75 °. In any case, the second angle is greater than the first angle, with respect to the radial direction of the rolling bearing. In the presence of component tolerances allow the two bends elastic adaptation of the sealing element, so that even in these cases a precise fit of the end portion in the groove of the outer ring or the inner ring can be ensured. Likewise, adverse effects such as grinding noises or excessive friction torque are avoided when the sealing element is at the upper end of the tolerance field and the inner ring or the outer ring in the lower region of the tolerance field. In both cases, a secure seal and a quiet running is guaranteed.

In order to achieve an even better sealing in the rolling bearing according to the invention, it can be provided that the sealing element is mounted under prestress. This guarantees a precise fit along the entire circumference, which reliably prevents the ingress of dirt or liquids. It also ensures that the lubricant can not escape from the rolling bearing.

An even better effect results when the wall thickness of the sealing element is selected in the rolling bearing according to the invention so that it is at least slightly deformed elastically in the mounted state. The elastic deformation results in the effect of a particularly good adaptation to the toleranced contour of the inner ring or the outer ring, in the groove of the end portion of the sealing element is added.

According to a development of the rolling bearing according to the invention, provision may be made for the sealing element to have a reduced thickness in the region of the first bend. Thereby, the rigidity of the end portion of the sealing element is reduced, so that it is more flexible and can be particularly easily inserted into the designated groove of the outer ring or the inner ring. In this context, it can also be provided that the sealing element additionally or alternatively in the region of the first bend has a reduced thickness, whereby the desired high flexibility is achieved in this area.

A particularly long life can be expected in the rolling bearing according to the invention, when the sealing element is formed as a sheet metal part.

All mentioned variants and designs can also be provided in different combinations.

1.5 Brief description of the drawing

Further advantages and details of the invention will be explained with reference to embodiments with reference to the drawings. The drawings are schematic representations and show:

1 a detail of a conventional clutch release bearing in the installed state in a sectional view;

2 the position of a sealing element of a conventional clutch release bearing in the presence of component tolerances;

3 another example of the position of a conventional sealing element in the presence of component tolerances;

4 a sealing element of a rolling bearing according to the invention in a sectional view;

5 an inventive clutch release bearing in a sectional view;

6 a variant of a sealing element;

7 a further variant of a sealing element; and

8th another variant of a sealing element.

1.6 Detailed description of the drawing

This in 1 shown conventional clutch release bearing 1 includes an inner ring 2 , an outer ring 3 with arranged therebetween rolling elements 4 , The inner ring 2 has one as a printing plate 5 trained on the flange in the engaged state at an in 1 not shown coupling is applied. About a sleeve 6 are disengaging forces on the outer ring 3 transferred, causing the clutch release bearing 1 is moved axially. When disengaged, the inner ring rotates 2 opposite the stationary outer ring 3 of the clutch release bearing 1 , A gap between the inner ring 2 and the outer ring 3 is through a sealing element 7 sealed.

2 shows the sealing element 7 a conventional clutch release bearing in an enlarged view. If - as in 2 shown is - the outer ring 3 and the sealing element 7 lie in the edge region of their tolerance fields, it may be the case that both components do not match each other exactly. In this case, the sealing element 7 with a particularly high force in the outer ring 3 otherwise there is a risk that it will jam or that a proper seal will not be achieved everywhere in the circumferential direction.

In 3 is another example of the position of a sealing element in a conventional Clutch release bearing shown. In this embodiment, the sealing element sits 7 not exactly in a designated groove 8th of the outer ring 3 so that no complete sealing in the circumferential direction is guaranteed. In addition, in the in 3 shown state disturbing grinding noises occur.

4 shows a sealing element 9 , which is part of a clutch release bearing. The sealing element 9 is designed as a sheet metal part. The annular sealing element 9 has an end portion 10 on, which is angled twice. The first bend 11 , that is, the angled, curved portion closes with the in 4 dashed radial direction 12 an angle α of approximately 60 °.

The second bend 13 that is, the second angled or bent portion closes with the radial direction 12 an angle β of approximately 75 °. Other embodiments are also conceivable in which the angles of curvature of the angles α and β vary, but it is essential that the second angle β is greater than the first angle α, in each case relative to the radial direction 12 ,

5 shows a detail of a clutch release bearing 14 in a cut view. The clutch release bearing 14 basically basically corresponds to the conventional clutch release bearing 1 from 1 , The clutch release bearing 14 but includes the sealing element 9 that between an outer ring 15 and an inner ring 16 is arranged to rolling elements 17 to protect against contamination. In 5 you realize that the end section 10 of the sealing element 9 Twice angled. The angled end section 10 of the sealing element 9 has an increased flexibility, that is, he is able to adapt to possibly existing in the tolerance field deviations by elastic deformation. The other, opposite end of the sealing element 9 lies on a seal shown only schematically 19 at. The comparatively flexible end section 10 of the sealing element 9 is thus safe in a groove 20 of the outer ring 15 positioned so that for all conceivable size deviations or tolerances a reliable seal of the gap between the inner ring 16 and outer ring 15 is ensured.

6 shows the sealing element 9 , which has adapted by elastic deformation to the contour of an outer ring, that at the doubly angled end portion 10 a radial section 21 followed. However, this deformation is purely elastic and due to the contour of the outer ring, on which the sealing element 9 is applied.

7 shows a further embodiment in which the sealing element 9 abuts an outer ring with a different shaped contour. In this case closes at the doubly angled end section 10 a curved section 22 on, so that the sealing element 9 only punctiform or linearly abuts a radial surface of the outer ring. Also in this case, the deformation of the sealing element 9 purely elastic.

Another variant of a sealing element 23 is in 8th shown. The sealing element 23 has a double-angled end portion 18 with reduced diameter. This reduced diameter causes a reduced rigidity and thus a higher flexibility, so that the sealing element 23 is even better able to adapt to any size differences that are caused by dimensional tolerances.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

Clutch

2

inner ring

3

outer ring

4

rolling elements

5

printing plate

6

shell

7

sealing element

8th

groove

9

sealing element

10

end

11

angling

12

radial direction

13

angling

14

Clutch

15

outer ring

16

inner ring

17

rolling elements

18

end

19

poetry

20

groove

21

radial section

22

curved section

23

sealing element

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents listed by the applicant has been generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• EP 0272967 B1 [0003]
• JP 11-93972 A [0004]

Claims (8)

Rolling, in particular, clutch, characterized with an inner ring, a rotatable relative to the inner ring outer ring and received therebetween rolling elements and at least one of a gap sealing annular sealing member which is received in a groove of the outer ring or the inner ring having an end portion, characterized in that the end portion ( 10 . 18 ) of the sealing element ( 9 . 23 ) is angled twice, the first angled portion ( 11 ) a first predetermined angle (α) with the radial direction ( 12 ) of the rolling bearing and the second bend ( 13 ) includes a second predetermined angle (β) with the radial direction, the second angle being greater than the first angle (α). Rolling bearing according to claim 1, characterized in that the first angle (α) is 50 ° to 70 °, preferably approximately 60 °. Rolling bearing according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the second angle (β) is 60 ° to 80 °, preferably 70 ° to 75 °. Rolling bearing according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sealing element ( 9 . 23 ) is mounted under preload. Rolling bearing according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the wall thickness of the sealing element ( 9 . 23 ) is selected so that it is at least slightly deformed elastically in the mounted state. Rolling bearing according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sealing element ( 23 ) has a reduced thickness in the region of the second bend. Rolling bearing according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sealing element ( 23 ) has a reduced thickness in the region of the first bend. Rolling bearing according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sealing element ( 9 . 23 ) is formed as a sheet metal part.

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