DE102016221612A1 - sealing arrangement - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a sealing arrangement (1) for sealing a first component (2a) relative to a second component (2b) rotatable relative thereto, comprising a seal (3) arranged on the first component (2a), wherein the seal (3) is a bimetal (4), an elastically deformable material (5) and a coil (6), wherein the coil (6) is provided to heat when applying an electric current, the bimetal (4), wherein the bimetal (4) deforms the heating and thereby the seal (3) on the second component (2b) comes to rest in order to form a peripheral seal over it.

Description

The invention relates to a sealing arrangement for sealing a first component relative to a second component rotatable relative thereto. In particular, the invention relates to a seal assembly for a rolling bearing.

The sealing of a rolling bearing against environmental influences is necessary in many applications to ensure a sufficient life of the rolling bearing. For example, in wheel bearings for vehicles it is essential to protect the rolling bearings arranged in the wheel fastenings against splash water and other contaminants in daily use. Usually contact seals are used for this purpose, which are known for example in the design of cassette seals, which can be used in the rolling bearing as a seal set. In the cassette seals usually one to two in the axial direction and one to two in the radial direction touching sealing lips are positioned.

From the DE 10 2009 050 215 A1 goes out a sealing ring for sealing a rolling space of a rolling bearing. The sealing ring has a for attachment to a first bearing part provided, an elastic part holding carrier part. The sealing ring is provided by means of a radial or axial sealing lip on the elastic part for sealing the Wälzraumes between the first bearing part and a first bearing part relatively rotatable second bearing part or between the first bearing part and another attached to the second bearing part, relative to the first bearing member movable component , The sealing lip is intended to form a gap with the second bearing part or with the component. Furthermore, the sealing lip has an annular groove for forming a gap closing lubricant ring.

The object of the present invention is to further develop a sealing arrangement and in particular to reduce frictional losses.

The sealing arrangement according to the invention for sealing a first component relative to a second component rotatable relative thereto comprises a seal arranged on the first component, wherein the seal comprises a bimetal, an elastically deformable material and a coil, wherein the coil is provided when applying an electric Current to heat the bimetal, wherein the bimetal deformed by the heating and thereby the seal on the second component comes into abutment to form about a circumferential seal.

Thus, a change between a first and a second operating state is performed for the inventive seal assembly during operation, the change is particularly dependent on whether it is a humid or dry environment. A first state is at the same time the initial state of the sealing arrangement without influencing an electric current. The first state is given in particular when the environment outside the sealing arrangement or outside the storage device in which the sealing arrangement is provided is substantially dry. In this case, a sealing gap is formed between the seal and the second component and there is no contact, that is to say no friction, between the seal and the second component. As a result, friction losses from the bearing device and, accordingly, the CO ₂ emission of a vehicle can be reduced by means of such sealing arrangements.

In a second state, the application of an electrical current to the coil causes heating of the bimetal. The coil is attached to the bimetal or comes to the plant. The second state is switched in particular when the environment outside the storage device has a certain moisture content, as a result of which the storage device is endangered with regard to the entry of water or moisture.

The bimetal is designed as a metal strip or a metal component made of two layers of different metals, which are connected to one another in a material-locking or form-fitting manner. Characteristic is the change in shape when changing the temperature due to the different thermal expansion coefficients of the two metals of the bimetal. Preferably, the bimetal is formed bent. This results in a heating of the bimetal to different extents of the metals and, accordingly, to a bending of the bimetal. Due to the characteristic shape of the bimetal, the seal therefore elongates in the radial direction or in the direction of the component axis and comes to rest on the second component, whereby a secure seal is realized, in particular against water and moisture between the seal and the second component.

Preferably, the sealing arrangement comprises a circuit with a humidity sensor, which is provided to trigger a switch for switching the electric current. The moisture sensor serves as an initiator. If a moisture limit value is exceeded or undershot, the moisture sensor triggers a switch which switches between the first and second state of the sealing arrangement. Furthermore, the Circuit for generating the electric current a battery.

Further preferably, a sealing gap is formed radially between the seal and the second component, which is intended to receive a greasy film. In other words, in the first state between the seal and the second component to no contact, so that no friction between the seal and the second component is generated. The greasy film in the sealing gap is intended to act, even in the first state to a certain extent dirt and dust repellent. As a result, contamination of the bearing interior due to moisture, dirt or dust in both the first state and in the second state can be avoided.

Preferably, the elastically deformable material is formed of an elastomer. In this case, the elastomer has better elastic deformation properties and a lower rigidity than the bimetal.

Furthermore, the seal is preferably designed as a multi-lip seal or labyrinth seal. By default, three-lip seals are used in vehicles. However, it is also conceivable to use a splash plate next to the seal, which ensures additional protection against moisture, dirt and dust.

Preferably, the moisture sensor is designed as a rain sensor of a motor vehicle. Rain sensors are usually used in the windshield of the motor vehicle. As a result, an additional moisture sensor can be saved. However, it is also conceivable to arrange a moisture sensor in the immediate vicinity of the seal arrangement. In particular, in the operation of motor vehicles, it is possible that wet or wet ground, such as a wet road, is traveled without it rains. It is therefore advantageous to arrange a humidity sensor in the vicinity of the sealing arrangement in order to be able to measure the moisture in the immediate vicinity.

• 1 eine schematische Schnittdarstellung zur Veranschaulichung des Aufbaus einer erfindungsgemäßen Dichtungsanordnung in einem ersten Zustand, und
• 2 eine schematische Schnittdarstellung zur Veranschaulichung des Aufbaus einer erfindungsgemäßen Dichtungsanordnung in einem zweiten Zustand.

Further measures improving the invention will be described in more detail below together with the description of a preferred embodiment of the invention with reference to the two figures. This shows

• 1 a schematic sectional view illustrating the construction of a seal assembly according to the invention in a first state, and
• 2 a schematic sectional view illustrating the construction of a seal assembly according to the invention in a second state.

According to 1 is a seal assembly according to the invention 1 for sealing a first component 2a opposite a relatively rotatable second component 2 B shown. The seal arrangement 1 includes one on the first component 2a arranged seal 3 , where the seal 3 a bimetal 4 , an elastically deformable material 5 , a coil 6 and a second component 2 B facing sealing lip 11 includes. In a first state is radially between the seal 3 and the second component 2 B a sealing gap 8th formed, making it between the seal 3 and the second component 2 B no contact point and thus no friction losses.

The elastically deformable material 5 is as an elastomer with a lower rigidity and strength than the bimetal 4 educated. The sink 6 is intended, when applying an electric current, the bimetal 4 to warm up.

The seal arrangement 1 further includes a circuit 9 with a battery 10 for generating the electric current and a humidity sensor 7 which acts as an initiator and a switch 12 triggers to switch the electric current. The moisture sensor 7 is for direct measurement of moisture in the immediate vicinity of the seal assembly 1 arranged.

To 2 the seal comes 3 in a second state by the deformation of the bimetal 4 on the second component 2 B to the plant, thereby forming a circumferential seal. The moisture sensor 7 , which initiates the second state by measuring moisture, it has the switch 12 triggers an electrical current to the coil 6 forwards to the bimetal 4 and thus the seal 3 to deform. The sealing gap 8th closes due to radial deformation of the seal 3 during the application of the electric current is closed and thus is not existent in the second state. Thus, an on-demand, in particular a moisture-sealed seal between the first component 2a and the relatively rotatable second component 2 B created.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

sealing arrangement

2a, 2b

component

3

poetry

4

bimetallic

5

elastically deformable material

6

Kitchen sink

7

humidity sensor

8th

sealing gap

9

circuit

10

battery

11

sealing lip

12

switch

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

• DE 102009050215 A1 [0003]

Claims (7)

A sealing arrangement (1) for sealing a first component (2a) relative to a second component (2b) which is rotatable relative thereto, comprising a seal (3) arranged on the first component (2a), the seal (3) comprising a bimetal (4), an elastically deformable material (5) and a coil (6), wherein the coil (6) is provided to heat the bimetal (4) upon application of an electric current, wherein the bimetal (4) is deformed by the heating and thereby the seal (3) on the second component (2b) comes to rest in order to form a peripheral seal over it. Seal arrangement (1) according to Claim 1 , characterized in that the sealing arrangement (1) further comprises a circuit (9) with a humidity sensor (7), which is provided to trigger a switch (12) for switching the electric current. Seal arrangement (1) according to Claim 2 characterized in that the circuit (9) further comprises a battery (10) arranged to generate the electric current. Seal arrangement (1) according to Claim 2 , characterized in that the humidity sensor (7) is designed as a rain sensor of a motor vehicle. Sealing arrangement (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that radially between the seal (3) and the second component (2b) a sealing gap (8) is formed, which is intended to receive a greasy film. Sealing arrangement (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the elastically deformable material (5) is an elastomer. Sealing arrangement (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the seal (3) is designed as a multi-lipped seal or labyrinth seal.

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