KR890000269B1 - Internal universal joint seal with multiple lips - Google Patents

Abstract

This invention is a internal universal joint seal with multiple lips for the use of effective lubricant accommodation and for prevention of water or contamination. This seal is employed in a universal joint assembly which comprises a cross having four trunnions, and a bearing cup for each of the trunnions. The bearing cup has a first interior portion of one diameter adjacent to the open end, and a second interior portion of a smaller diameter adjacent to the closed end. An internal shoulder is formed between the first and second portions. This seal comprises a resilient sealing member having at least three inner circular lips which engage the associated trunnion and ajacent part of the cross, and at least free outer circular lips which engage the first internal portion of the bearing cup and the annular shoulder.

Description

Universal joint inner seal with multiple ribs

1 is a plan view of an assembled universal joint connecting two shafts incorporating the present invention.

2 is a plan view of the present universal joint and the bearing cup assembled therein, in which one bearing cup and a seal are shown in cross-sectional view.

3 is an enlarged partial cross-sectional view of the universal joint, the trunnion of the cross, the bearing cup, and the universal joint seal combined.

FIG. 4 is a partial cross sectional view of the third universal joint seal.

5 is a partial cross-sectional view of the trunnion of the universal joint cross, bearing cup and universal joint seal improved according to the present invention, shown in the same dimensions as in FIG.

FIG. 6 is a partial cross-sectional view of the universal joint seal of FIG. 5, shown in the same dimensions as FIG.

FIG. 7 is a partial cross-sectional view of a trunnion of a universal joint cross, bearing cup and universal joint seal further improved according to the present invention, shown in the same dimensions as FIG.

* Explanation of symbols for main parts of the drawings

10: Universal Joint 16 18: York

20: bearing cup 28: cross body

26: Cross 30 Shoulder

32: trunnion 42 bed bearing

44 46: 1st and 2nd cylindrical interior 48: Annular inner shoulder

50: universal joint seal 52 68 92: resilient seal member

54 56 70 72 74 94 96 98: Inward Extension

58 60 76 78 80 100 102: Outward extension

62 82 104 64 84 106: Additional

The present invention relates to a universal joint inner seal that effectively contains a lubricant and effectively prevents penetration of water or contaminants.

The seal between the cross of the universal joint and the bearing cup must be purchased in accordance with various difficult conditions. Since there is a relative rotational movement between the cross trunnion and the bearing cup, the seal must provide a sealing function during the movement between the sealing surface of the cross and bearing cup and the seal, and when the universal joint is rotating at high speed. Whilst the torque is being applied while the drive train with the universal joint is installed, the lubricant must be well received between the inner surface of the bearing cup and the trunnion, and at the same time, the lubricating auxiliary part that supplies lubricant to the universal joint periodically If provided, the seal shall be able to withdraw the old lubricant out of the bearing during lubrication. In addition, universal joint seals must effectively prevent the ingress of water or contaminants, such that water or contaminants rapidly destroy the bearings even in small amounts. It is also desirable that the seal does not protrude over the bearing cup so that it does not interfere with the assembly of the yoke, cross and bearing cup of the universal joint.

Many seals are known in the art to be used between a cross of a universal joint and a bearing cup. Typical seals include resilient seal members, which form one cross-sectional contour at the crossbody and trunnion connection and the other contoured shape according to the shape of the surface near the open end of the bearing cup. It provides a wide contact area between the seal member and the cross and the bearing cup. However, such seals are sometimes ineffective, especially if the surfaces of the cross and bearing cups on which the seal members engage are relatively rough, resulting in circular irregularities, which reduces the effect. In the seal and the universal joint surface of this type, wear of the seal member is another problem. Other universal joint seals are described in the following United States patents

The present invention provides an improved universal joint inner seal having a plurality of ribs to provide a more effective seal. The cross of the universal joint comprises a body and four trunnions extending perpendicularly from one another, with the body and the connection of each trunnion being often equipped with a circular shoulder. Each universal joint bearing cup in which an inner seal is used has an open end, which accommodates one of four trunnions.

The bearing cup has a first diameter cylindrical interior of constant diameter adjacent to the open end and a secondary cylindrical interior of small diameter spaced apart from the open end, with a circular interior facing the open end between the two parts. Forming a shoulder.

The inner seal of the universal joint according to the present invention includes an elastic seal member having a plurality of ribs, the plurality of ribs engaged with a trunnion surface adjacent to the primary body of the bearing cup and the crossbody. All. Between these two sets of ribs there are additional ribs that engage the inner shoulder of the bearing cup and the secondary additional ribs engage the crossbody. If the crossbody has a shoulder near the trunnion, which is relatively soft, the second additional lip forms an additional seal, and without the round shoulder, the second additional lip engages directly with the crossbody and is positioned between the bearing cup and the trunnion. Retains the resilient seal member, and the additional lip engages with the inner shoulder of the bearing cup. Many of the ribs engaged with the trunnion effectively prevent water and contaminants from penetrating, and the external ribs engaged with the primary cylindrical interior of the bearing cup can release lubricant from the bearing cup during lubrication. Allow the old lubricant to escape from the cup.

One type of resilient seal member extends downwardly and is provided with a larger lip covering the top of the needle bearing to help keep the bearing in position when the bearing cup and trunnion are separated.

The flexible seal member has a narrow, angled or rounded end in the seal lip, which provides a narrow contact line between the cross and the bearing cup. Thus, when the cross and bearing cups are assembled and the bodies are deformed, the ends of these seal lips provide a significant contact line with the cross and bearing cups. This results in good seal bonding with the surface, particularly when there is a circular irregularity on the surface. In contrast, conventional seals are designed such that the cross and bearing cups are designed to have contours that fit the contours so that they are widely engaged between these contours. Such seals are not effective seal bonds when the surface is rough and irregular and the seals wear rapidly.

The lip of the relatively narrow elastic seal member can be significantly deformed when the cross and the bearing cup are assembled so that the tolerance range of the present flexible seal can be wider. In addition, these multiple seals form an annular space to confine the lubricant to escape and prevent the penetration of water and contaminants. At this time, the confined lubricant tends to have an effect in preventing the penetration of water and contaminants.

The seal member is also designed such that the seal fits within the bearing cup without the bearing cup protruding beyond the outer surface. This facilitates the assembly of the bearing cup and trunnion, which is assembled with the trunnion through the opening of the universal joint yoke. In addition, since the inner seal is installed inside the bearing cup, the seal is not damaged.

The seal is effective in receiving lubricant and effectively preventing water and contaminants from penetrating, even during the relative rotation of the trunnion and bearing cups, and while the universal joint is rotating at high speeds. The lubricant supplied to the needle bearing can push out the old lubricant between the bearing cup and the seal.

An object of the present invention is to firstly provide an internal seal having improved sealing characteristics on the cross and bearing cup of the universal joint, and secondly, to allow a greater control over the tolerance range and dimensional change of the cross and bearing cup of the universal joint. Third, to provide a universal joint inner seal that effectively seals lubricants and contaminants with a number of ribs that engage the cross and the bearing cup. Fourth, the surface of the cross and the bearing cup is circular. It is to provide a universal joint inner seal that can achieve a good sealing effect when irregular, and fifth, to provide a universal joint inner seal that is completely installed in the open end of the bearing cup so that the seal is not damaged.

Many other objects and advantages of the present invention are described below with reference to the drawings.

In FIG. 1, a universal joint embodying the present invention is represented by 10, which connects the drive shaft 12 and the driven shaft 14 in a conventional manner. The universal joint 10 includes two yokes 16 촤 18 perpendicular to each other having a bearing cup 20, the bearing cup 20 having a retaining ring 22 (FIGS. 1 and 2). The retaining ring is held in the yoke arm by appropriate means such as), which is well known in the art.

2 and 3, the present universal joint cross 26 includes a crossbody 28 having a shoulder 30 from which the trunnion 32 extends. The body portion 28 and the trunnion 32 are provided with a lubricant passage 34 in communication with the supply passage 36 and the lubrication auxiliary part 38. The lubricant passage 34 directs the lubricant to the end of the trunnion 32, which supplies lubricant to the needle bearing 42 provided between the bearing cup 20 and the trunnion 32. A transverse passage 40 is provided for this purpose. The arrangement thus ensures that the needle bearing 42 is periodically lubricated through the lubrication auxiliary part 38, thereby minimizing the possibility of the bearings being dried and freezing of the universal joint.

Each bearing cup 20 has an open end to receive the trunnion 32, and is formed of a first diameter inner 44 of a constant diameter adjacent to the open end of the bearing cup and a small diameter spaced apart from the open end. An annular inner shoulder 48 is formed between the two portions 44 and 46, with a secondary cylindrical interior 46 facing towards the open end.

Conventionally, an elastic seal member, which is formed jointly between the bearing cup and the cross of the universal joint, is formed so as to fit the contour of the cross at the connection portion of the crossbody and the trunnion and to the contour of the open end of the bearing cup. It has been designed and its purpose has been to provide a more effective seal by widening the contact area, but the surface of the crossbody, the trunnion and the connection of the bearing cup open end did not always move as smoothly as the other parts of the cross and bearing cup. . These surfaces had circular irregularities that in some cases prevented the seal member from performing effective seals, and also sometimes the seal member was considerably worn where relative motion between crosses, bearing cups, and seal members occurred.

The universal joint seal 50 according to the present invention provides a more effective seal in the circular space between the bearing cup and the cross 26. The seal 50 consists of a resilient seal member 52 made of an elastic material, such as synthetic rubber, having a durometer hardness of usually 80-95, and, if conventionally used, an expensive seal device such as a metal insert or a metal backing. Is not necessary. The seal member 52 has at least two inwardly extending circular ribs 54 and 56, which engage with the trunnion 32 adjacent the cross body 28. The circular ribs 54 and 56 are narrow in width, engaging with the trunnion along this narrow, circular portion to provide two seals between the seal member 52 and the cross 26. The seal member 52 also has two outwardly extending circular lips 58 and 60, which engage with the inner surface of the first dimensional cylindrical inner 44 of the bearing cup 20 and the seal member 52. Two seals are provided between the bearing cups 20.

The seal member 52 also has a narrow circular lip 62 extending upwardly between the inner double lip 54 and 56 and the outer double lip 58 and 60, along the narrow circular portion of the crossbody 28. In engagement with the shoulder 30, a third seal is provided between the seal member 52 and the bone cross 26. The seal member 52 also has a narrow circular lip 64 extending downwardly between the inner and outer neutrals 54 and 56 and the outer and outer neutrals 58 and 60, so that the bearing cup 20 of the bearing cup 20 is along the narrow circular portion thereof. In engagement with the inner shoulder 48, it engages with the inner shoulder 48 of the seal member 52 and the bearing cup 20 to provide a third seal between the seal member 52 and the bearing cup 20. These lips 62 and 64 also engage the crossbody 28 and shoulder 48 to hold the seal 50 in the proper seal position. Thus, the lip 54-64 provides three narrow seals on the trunnion 32 and the crossbody 28, and on the shoulder 48 of the primary cylindrical inner 44 and the bearing cup 20. It will provide three narrow seal sites. Lips 54, 56, and 62 primarily prevent water or other contaminants from penetrating into bearing cup 20, while lips 58, 60, and 64, when lubricant is supplied to lubrication aid 38, Primarily, the lubricant is drawn out of the bearing cup.

In FIG. 4, the ribs terminate at narrow ends with sharp or slightly rounded corners, which provide narrower and more concentrated contact between the seal member 52 and the cross and bearing cup. As the cross and the bearing cups are assembled, the deformation of the seal member results in a narrower contact between the edge of the lip and the surface to which it is engaged, such that when these surfaces have circular irregularities, such narrow contact between the lip and the surface becomes an elastic seal member. Can provide a greater sealing effect than when engaged with the entire surface. This is especially true when the hardness of the elastic seal member is as rigid as 90-95 durometers than when it is as soft as 80 durometers.

The annular space formed between the lip 54 and 56 and between the lip 58 and 60 confines water and contaminants that penetrate into the bearing cup, and also constrains the lubricant to escape from the bearing cup. Will further prevent ingress of water and contaminants.

The improved seal 66 of the present invention shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 includes a seal member 68 with narrow circular lips 70, 72 and 74 extending inwardly. These circular ribs engage the trunnion 32 adjacent the crossbody 28 to provide three narrow seal sites between the seal member and the cross. The seal member 68 also includes three outwardly extending narrow circular ribs 76, 78 and 80, which engage the primary cylindrical inner 44 of the bearing cup 20 to seal the seal member ( 68) and two narrow circular seal sites between the bearing cup 20.

The seal member 68 also has a lip 82 extending upwardly between one end of the inner lip and the outer lip, in which case the lip 82 has a cross body 28 more specifically the shoulder of the cross body ( 30). The seal member 68 also has a lip 84 extending downward between one end of the inner lip and one end of the outer lip that engages with the inner shoulder 48 of the bearing cup 20. These lips 82 and 84 thus provide a narrow seal between the seal member and the crossbody and bearing cup while keeping the seal 66 in place.

As such, in this example, the seal member 68 also has a long, inwardly extending lip 86, which meshes with the top of the needle bearing 42 such that the bearing cup 20 is removed from the trunnion 32. When removed, the needle bearings are held in place. This lip 86 also tends to guide lubricant out of the bearing cup between the seal member 68 and the cylindrical interior 44 when lubricant is supplied.

7 shows a further improved seal 88 and an improved crossbody 90 in accordance with the present invention. This cross, the body 90 is different from the cross body 28, there is no shoulder 30, the trunnion 32 is extended directly from the cross body. The surface of the crossbody 90 is more rough than the machined shoulder 30 and is not smoothly machined by machining or grinding.

The seal 88 includes a seal member 92 having three inwardly extending narrow circular lips 94, 96 and 98, which lips are trunnions adjacent to the cross body 90. 32) provide three narrow seals between the seal member and the cross. In addition, the seal member 92 has two outwardly extending narrow circular lips 100 and 102, which mesh with the primary cylindrical interior 44 of the bearing cup 20 to seal the seal member 92 and the bearing cup ( 20) provide two narrow circular seals in between.

In this case, the seal member 92 has a thick lip or ridge 104 extending upward between one end of the inner and outer lip, which meshes with the cross body 90. However, the thick lip 104 does not provide an effective seal between the seal member 92 and the cross body because the surface of the cross body is rough. The main function of the lip 104 is therefore to assist in keeping the seal member 92 in the seal position while the lip 94, 96 and 98 provide three narrow seals between the seal member and the crossbody. . In addition, the seal member 92 has a lip 106 extending downward between one end of the inner and outer lip, which is engaged with the inner shoulder 48 of the cross 20 so as to be narrow between the seal member and the bearing cup. While further providing a seal area, it cooperates with the thick lip 104 to assist in keeping the seal 88 in place. The ribs 100, 102 and 106 thus provide three narrow seals between the sealing member and the bearing cup.

As described above, the present invention provides at least two narrow seal portions between the seal member and the cross and between the seal member and the bearing cup, and at the same time the seal member further includes at least one upper lip. And a lower lip for cooperating with the crossbody and the inner shoulder of the bearing cup to hold the seal in place.

The above-described embodiments of the present invention can be variously modified without departing from the spirit and spirit of the present invention.

Claims (20)

In a universal joint seal for a cross and a bearing cup, the cross has a body and a trunnion, the bearing cup having an open end for receiving the trunnion and a primary cylindrical interior of constant diameter adjacent to the open end; A secondary cylindrical interior of smaller diameter spaced from the open end and having an inner shoulder between the two portions, the seal comprising an elastic seal member having at least three primary lips; The seal is engaged with the trunnion and the body of the cross when the cross and the bearing cup are assembled, and the seal member has at least three ribs so that the first of the shoulder and the bearing cup when the cross and the bearing cup are assembled. In engagement with the primary cylindrical part, thereby sealing the seal member with the cross and the bearing cup at least three times. A universal joint having a plurality of inner seal lip so as to form a seal over. 2. A plurality of ribs as set forth in claim 1, wherein one of said first ribs engages with said crossbody when said cross and bearing cup are assembled, and two of said first ribs engage with said trunnion. Internal joint seal. 3. The method of claim 2, wherein when the cross and bearing cup are assembled, one of the second ribs engages the inner shoulder and two of the second ribs engage the primary cylindrical portion of the bearing cup. Internal seal of a universal joint with multiple ribs. 2. The inner seal of claim 1 wherein the needle bearing in the bearing cup and the seal member extend downwardly to cover the end of the needle bearing to cover the end of the needle bearing. The inner seal of claim 1 wherein the seal member has a lip extending upwardly to engage the cross when the cross and bearing cup are assembled. The method of claim 1, wherein when the cross and the bearing cup are assembled, one of the second ribs engages the inner shoulder and two of the second lips engage the primary cylindrical portion of the bearing cup. Universal joint inner seal with multiple ribs. 2. The crossbody of claim 1, wherein said crossbody includes an annular shoulder around said trunnion, one of said first ribs engaging said shoulder of said crossbody when said cross and bearing cup are assembled, and said trunnion. A physics inner seal with a plurality of ribs, characterized in that twice that of the first lip. The universal joint of claim 1, wherein the second lip is configured to effectively control the lubrication of the lubricant between the seal member and the bearing cup when the lubricant is compressed and supplied to the bearing cup. seal. A universal joint inner seal consisting of a combination of a universal joint seal, a cross, and a bearing, the cross having a body and a trunnion, the bearing cup having an open end accommodating the trunnion and a constant adjacent the open end. A primary cylindrical interior having a diameter and an inner shoulder formed between the secondary cylindrical interior having a smaller diameter spaced apart from the open end, and the universal joint seal having the cross A resilient seal member having a lip engaging the body and at least two lip engaging the trunnion, the seal member having an additional lip engaging the primary cylindrical interior of the bearing cup and the shoulder. Universal joint inner seal with a plurality of ribs characterized in that. 10. The universal joint inner seal of claim 9, wherein at least two additional ribs engage the shoulders of the bearing cups and one additional rib engages the shoulders of the bearing cups. 10. The universal joint inner seal according to claim 9, wherein said seal member has said bearing cup with needle bearings and said inwardly extending longitudinal engagement with the ends of said needle bearings. 10. A universal joint inner seal according to claim 9, wherein said crossbody having an annular shoulder around said trunnion and said lip engaging said crossbody and said shoulder. 10. The universal joint inner seal of claim 9, wherein said ribs are thicker than other ribs engaging said crossbody. In a universal joint inner seal composed of a combination of a universal joint seal, a cross, and a bearing, the cross has a body and a trunnion, and the bearing cup is adjacent to the open end and the open end to receive the trunnion. The universal joint seal has a primary cylindrical interior of a constant diameter and a secondary cylindrical interior having a smaller diameter spaced apart from the open end, and an inner shoulder formed between these primary and secondary cylindrical interiors. And a resilient seal member having at least two inwardly extending circular lips engaging the trunnion and one circular lip extending upwardly in engagement with the crossbody, wherein the seal member also includes the bearing cup. At least two ribs extending outwardly and engaging the primary cylindrical interior of the bear A universal joint inner seal having a plurality of ribs, characterized by having one lip extended downwardly engaging the shoulder of the ring cup. 15. The universal joint inner seal of claim 14, wherein said cross having an annular shoulder on said body around said trunnion and said upwardly extending rib engaging said bicyclic shoulder. 15. The universal joint inner seal according to claim 14, wherein said seal member has a needle bearing in said cup and said seal member extending downwardly and covering said end of said needle bearing. . 15. The universal joint as claimed in claim 14, wherein the outwardly extending lip is characterized in that it effectively controls the outflow of lubricant from between the seal member and the bearing cup when lubricant is compressed into the bearing cup. Internal seal. 15. The universal joint inner seal of claim 14, wherein said lip engaging said crossbody is thicker than said other lip. The universal joint inner seal according to claim 18, wherein there are three rounded ribs extending inwardly. 15. The universal joint inner seal of claim 14, wherein said three rounded ribs extend outwardly.

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