WO2023147938A1

WO2023147938A1 - Running gear seal with anti-rotation device and components thereof

Info

Publication number: WO2023147938A1
Application number: PCT/EP2022/087956
Authority: WO
Inventors: Fabian Goedde
Original assignee: Federal-Mogul Friedberg Gmbh
Priority date: 2022-02-03
Filing date: 2022-12-28
Publication date: 2023-08-10
Also published as: DE102022102571A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a sliding ring (44) for a running gear seal (40), comprising a sliding surface (46) and at least one contact surface (54) for an elastomer ring (42). The invention is characterized by at least two locking elements (10) which are arranged in the circumferential direction and which have excellent elastic properties, in particular at least two locking elements (10) with pawls or locking springs, which are designed to engage into at least one corresponding engagement structure (6) that runs in the circumferential direction on the sliding ring (44) or on a housing (60).

Description

Anti-rotation drive seal and components thereof

The present invention relates to drive seals and components of drive seals as well as a housing for accommodating a drive seal or a shape of a seat for a drive seal in a housing.

Undercarriage seals are usually used on drive axles or rollers of earth-working machines that are operated at relatively low speeds under harsh operating conditions. Common areas of application are the chain drives of crawler vehicles, bulldozers, chain excavators or axle seals of wheel drives of wheel excavators, loaders, graders and other machines that are used in earthworking and under comparable conditions. For example, they protect the bearing points on the rollers of the chain drive on construction machinery or excavators from foreign bodies such as sand and dust.

Running gear seals are rotary seals and represent a special design of mechanical seals. The running gear seals consist of two geometrically identical sliding rings that are installed opposite one another in separate housings. One slip ring remains static while another rotates. Asymmetrical designs, i.e. sliding rings with unequal geometries, are also known.

The sliding rings are prestressed against each other by respective elastomer elements and seal the respective sliding ring against the respective housing. The actual sealing takes place at the contact surface of the lapped running surfaces of the sliding rings that are in contact with one another.

Mechanical seals are usually operated at a relative speed of less than 2 to 3 m/s and with oil lubrication of a maximum of 10m/s, which means that they cannot be used in fast-moving vehicles and rapidly rotating shafts or axles.

Usually, the seal rings are made rotationally symmetrical, with static friction between the elastomer elements and the respective housing or seal ring preventing the seal rings from twisting relative to the respective housings. The mechanical seal and the mounting via elastomer elements ensure that deformations that occur on the axles, housings or the drive are decoupled from the sliding rings, thus preventing leakage at the sealing gap between the sliding rings.

Today it is common for the slide rings to be secured against twisting by static friction of the elastomer rings against the housing. If the elastomer rings twist in relation to the housing when the rings are overloaded, the movement generates and Friction between the elastomer ring and the housing or the slide ring is a friction that can cause the drive seal to leak over time.

Drive seals are also referred to as "mechanical face seals".

It is desirable to provide an anti-rotation carriage seal that allows for easy assembly of carriage seals and slip rings in particular, and also secures the slip rings against twisting relative to the elastomeric rings or the housing without movement of the slip rings as is necessary for sealing restricts.

The present invention therefore relates to a carriage seal and the parts of a carriage seal that enable simple anti-rotation protection between a sliding ring and an associated housing or also a housing, shaft or axle flange. In the following, no distinction is made between a housing and a housing flange.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, a sliding ring for a drive seal or a drive seal is provided, the sliding ring comprising a sliding surface and at least one contact surface for an elastomer ring. Furthermore, the sliding ring is provided with at least two projecting resilient locking elements arranged in the circumferential direction, which can be designed in particular as locking pawls or locking springs, and which are set up to engage in corresponding engagement structures running in the circumferential direction in a housing or an axle or shaft flange. In essence, the locking elements provide a kind of free wheel, whereby each of the locking elements allows movement in one direction but prevents movement in an opposite direction directly or after a certain angle of rotation.

This makes it possible to assemble a slide ring with the locking elements in such a way that mutual alignment during assembly is not required, as would be the case with a conventional anti-rotation device. The present invention thus enables a simpler installation in which it is not necessary to pay attention to a mutual alignment of a slide ring with respect to a housing. Even during a trial run, the slide rings can move with respect to their housing parts to be sealed until one or the blocking elements engage in one or a respective engagement structure and prevent further rotation. As a result, the maximum path of the rotational movement of the sliding ring relative to a housing or a flange is limited, so that no significant wear can occur.

In an exemplary embodiment of the slide ring, the blocking elements each point in the same circumferential direction. Here the blocking elements form a kind of freewheel, whereby this design can be used if the carriage has only one direction of rotation.

In a further exemplary embodiment of the sliding ring, an even number of locking elements is provided, with one half of the locking elements in one Have circumferential direction, and another half of the locking elements are aligned opposite to the circumferential direction. Here, the blocking elements form freewheels connected in opposite directions, so that the slide ring is fixed in both directions of rotation. A certain freedom of movement can be provided here, which allows smaller rotary movements of the slide ring relative to the housing / flange, but a longer movement that would cause greater wear of the elastomer ring is excluded.

An additional embodiment of the present invention relates to an embodiment in which half of the locking elements that point in the circumferential direction are spaced radially and/or axially from the other half of the locking elements that are oriented opposite to the circumferential direction. In this way, two freewheels connected in opposite directions are realized, which can act locally independently of one another and can thus prevent any major movement both in one and in the other circumferential direction.

In another embodiment of the slide ring, the blocking elements extend in the axial direction, in the radial direction, in the radial and axial direction and/or at an angle of between 15° and 60° to an axial direction. It should be made clear here that different arrangements and orientations of the blocking elements are possible.

In an additional embodiment of the slide ring, the blocking elements are arranged regularly in the circumferential direction. In an additional embodiment of the sliding ring, pairs of two blocking elements directed towards one another are regularly arranged in the circumferential direction. In another additional embodiment of the sliding ring, the blocking elements are arranged in the circumferential direction with a rotational symmetry of between 1° and 180°, preferably between 2° and 60° and more preferably between 1° and 30°.

In a further embodiment of the sliding ring, the contact surface for an elastomer ring forms a conical surface, which is preferably rounded and broadened at a base. A contact surface for an elastomer ring that is essentially circular or oval in cross section is described here, as is known in the case of running gear seals. Furthermore, the blocking elements are arranged either inside the conical surface or outside of the conical surface. The blocking elements are preferably provided within the conical surface since they are protected there from external influences such as dirt and damage. Depending on the area of application, the blocking elements can also be provided radially outside of the elastomer ring if this is advantageous because of the media to be sealed or because of the mechanical design, such as in a countersunk arrangement of the drive seal in a housing.

In another embodiment of the slide ring, the contact surface can be set up for contact with an elastomer ring with a trapezoidal or rhombic profile. Here, the geometry can be selected appropriately, with a radial outer ring surface and an axial ring surface being conventionally combined, it also being possible, for example, to combine two cone-shaped ring surfaces. In the case of elastomer rings with a trapezoidal or rhombic profile, a combined radial and axial support with two mutually perpendicular cut surfaces in the profile is preferred. In an additional embodiment of the sliding ring, the blocking elements are designed as blocking springs or blocking leaf springs, which are set up to engage in corresponding depressions on a flange. In an additional embodiment of the sliding ring, the blocking elements are designed as spring-loaded, essentially straight rods which can resiliently engage in corresponding recesses in a flange or housing in the axial and/or radial direction and are not or not significantly subjected to bending when loaded in the blocking direction . Such a rod-shaped blocking element can be designed as a screw which can be deflected in the radial and axial direction via a ball joint and an elastomer element. Such a locking bar can absorb much higher forces than a spring, even if the load is uneven.

According to a further aspect of the present invention, a housing or a shaft or axle flange is provided which is set up to accommodate an elastomer ring and a slide ring as described above. The housing or the shaft or axle flange includes at least one contact surface for an elastomer ring. Further, the housing or shaft or axle flange is provided with a circumferential engagement structure adapted to engage or engage at least one resilient locking member of a slip ring. If the sliding ring includes pawls, for example, the counterpart is provided with a corresponding structure in which the pawls can engage. In contrast to the sawtooth-like structure known from pawls, a rectangular structure is provided here, which allows it to serve as an abutment for pawls in both directions. This has the advantage that, depending on the application, pawls can engage in both directions. A freewheel or a pawl can serve as a freewheel in both directions with a rectangular, trapezoidal or symmetrical triangular structure, depending on whether the pawls are arranged in one direction, against one direction or in the opposite direction. In contrast to a drive profile as known from screw heads and wrenches, it is not intended here that the structure of the housing / flange engages directly.

In one embodiment of the housing or the shaft or axle flange, the engagement structure running in the circumferential direction is regular and/or has a rotational symmetry of between 1° and 90°, preferably between 2° and 45° and more preferably between 1° and 30° on. A regular rotational symmetry with a maximum of a quarter turn, an eighth turn or a twelfth turn is described here.

According to an additional embodiment of the housing or the shaft or axle flange, the circumferential engagement structure extends in the axial direction, in the radial direction, in the radial and axial direction, or at an angle of between 15° and 60° to an axial direction. Pockets are described here which extend in the axial direction and/or in the radial direction and preferably run obliquely so that straight locking elements can also engage in the pockets of the structures.

In a further embodiment of the housing or of the shaft or axle flange, the contact surface for an elastomer ring forms a conical surface. Here is a contact surface for an elastomer ring that is essentially circular in cross section described with a transition to a stop in the axial direction is usually rounded.

In another embodiment of the housing or of the shaft or axle flange, the contact surface is designed for an elastomer ring with a trapezoidal or rhombic profile.

A combination of at least one sliding ring described above with at least one elastomer ring and a housing described above and/or a shaft or axle flange described above is also provided. So at least half a running gear seal and at most a complete running gear seal is provided, with the two sliding rings preferably being of the same design in relation to the anti-twist device or the blocking elements in the case of the complete running gear seal.

In another aspect of the present invention, two slip rings as described above and two associated elastomeric rings are provided. This version relates to two half running gear seals and thus a set of parts to replace a running gear seal whose running surfaces or sealing surfaces are damaged.

According to a further embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a sliding ring for a drive seal having a sliding surface and at least one abutment surface for an elastomeric ring, which is additionally provided with a circumferentially extending engagement structure. The engagement structure forms pockets in which corresponding locking elements that are arranged on a housing or on a shaft or axle flange can engage.

In one embodiment of the slide ring, the engagement structure running in the circumferential direction is regular. In a further embodiment of the sliding ring, the engagement structure running in the circumferential direction has a rotational symmetry of between 1° and 45°, preferably between 2° and 30° and more preferably between 1° and 15°. Here, either a uniform distribution of the engagement structures or an arrangement of engagement structures that repeats itself at least in the circumferential direction is described.

In an additional embodiment of the sliding ring, the engagement structures arranged in the circumferential direction extend in the axial direction and/or in the radial direction, in the radial and axial direction or at an angle of between 15° and 60° to an axial direction. Pockets or cutouts are described here that allow a locking element to engage in different directions. Basically, a resilient engagement is provided in an axial direction, so that the sliding ring enables an axial displacement of the locking element or elements in the axial direction without having to carry out a corresponding orientation in the circumferential direction. After installation, the resilient locking elements can spring into and engage in the engagement structures when the slide ring rotates with respect to the housing or an associated flange, and thus prevent rotational movement of the slide ring. In a further embodiment of the slide ring, the contact surface for an elastomer ring forms a conical surface. Here, too, a contact surface is provided for an elastomer ring with a substantially circular or oval-round cross-section, which exerts a radial 5 and axial force component on the seal ring in order to press the running surface of two seal rings together.

In an additional embodiment of the slide ring, the contact surface is designed for an elastomer ring with a trapezoidal or rhombic profile.

10

In yet another embodiment of the sliding ring, the engagement structure is set up for engagement with at least one resilient locking element, in particular a pawl or locking spring. It is also contemplated that the pawl will be a locking pin extending in multiple directions at a point of attachment

15 (two-dimensional) can pivot and is not subjected to bending forces when loaded. This can be achieved, for example, by means of a re-entrant corner on the engagement structure, in which a free end of the bar is directed into the corner under a pressure load and from there only pressure forces are transmitted via the bar.

20

According to a further aspect of the present invention, a housing or shaft or axle flange or also a housing flange with at least one contact surface for an elastomer ring is provided, wherein at least two projecting resilient locking elements are provided which are arranged in the circumferential direction and are set up in corresponding 25 running in the circumferential direction Engagement structures in a slide ring for a

to engage the drive seal. The locking elements can be designed as pawls or locking springs. The term pawl is not only limited to known pawls that can only pivot in one direction, but should also include rods that are pivoted in two dimensions. This embodiment 30 is the counterpart to the sliding rings with those arranged in the circumferential direction

engagement structures.

In one embodiment of the housing or shaft or axle flange, the blocking elements each point in the same circumferential direction. Here the blocking elements act like a freewheel, with such an embodiment only being intended for areas of application in which the shaft or the axle which is provided with the running gear seal only has one direction of rotation. Vehicles that are only moved in one direction, such as tunnel boring machines, pipeline laying machines and the like, can dispense with a separate locking device for a reverse direction.

■40

In a further embodiment of the housing or shaft or axle flange there is a symmetrical number of locking elements, with half of the locking elements each pointing in a circumferential direction and another half of the locking elements being oriented opposite to the circumferential direction. Here the blocking elements form ■45 each against each other connected freewheels, with a movement of the slip rings

Limit intervention structures in both directions. In a further embodiment of the housing or shaft or axle flange, the blocking elements extend in the axial direction, in the radial direction, in the radial and axial direction or at an angle of between 15° and 60° to an axial direction. In a basic embodiment, the locking elements are arranged essentially tangentially

5 and spring mainly in the axial direction. A slide ring can thus be used without the blocking elements interfering with assembly, regardless of whether they are currently engaged with the engagement structures or are spring-backed. During operation, the blocking elements can then engage in a next engagement structure during a rotary movement of the slide rings and thus fix the slide ring. Depending on the possible mutual movement of the

10 shaft relative to the housing, the locking elements and the engagement structures should be able to compensate for slight axial and radial movements and bearing play of the shaft in the housing. Rigid guidance of the blocking elements could lead to jamming. It is therefore envisaged that the blocking elements in preferred embodiments can either move in 2 dimensions or be sufficiently elastic,

15 to be able to compensate for such movements.

In an additional design of the housing or shaft or axle flange, the blocking elements are arranged regularly in the circumferential direction. It can also be provided that in a further embodiment, the arrangement of the blocking elements

20 rotational symmetry between 1° and 180°, preferably between 2° and 60° and more preferably between 1° and 30°.

Another version of the housing, shaft or axle flange is designed in such a way that the contact surface for an elastomer ring forms a conical surface. Here will be one

25 contact surface provided for a cross-section substantially circular or oval elastomer ring.

In an additional embodiment of the housing or shaft or axle flange, the contact surface is on an elastomer ring with a trapezoidal or rhombic profile

30 adjusted.

In the case of the housing or shaft or axle flange, the blocking elements can be designed as blocking springs or blocking leaf springs or as rod elements which can yield resiliently in the axial and radial directions.

35

Provision is also made to provide a combination of two slide rings as described above, two elastomer rings, and a housing flange and a shaft or axle flange. A combination of the components to form a running gear seal is also disclosed here.

40

In an additional embodiment of the above combination, the rotational symmetry of the arrangement of the locking elements differs from the rotational symmetry of the engagement structure. Here an embodiment is provided in which only one or 2 blocking elements are engaged, whereby the dead travel of the sliding ring

'45 travels until the first locking element or the first pair of locking elements engages is significantly reduced. The present invention is described below using exemplary embodiments.

FIG. 1 shows a section through a conventional running gear seal as is known from the prior art.

FIG. 2 shows a possible embodiment of the present invention in a partial view, which already shows all relevant aspects.

FIG. 3 shows an engagement structure as can be used on a running gear seal according to the invention.

FIG. 4 shows six locking springs as can be used on a drive seal according to the invention.

Figures 5A through 5I are plan and side sectional views showing an exemplary latch and the use of the latch in a drive seal.

Figure 6 illustrates the engagement structure of Figure 3 with locking members of Figure 4 engaged therewith.

FIG. 7 shows a further embodiment of an engagement structure as can be used according to the invention on a running gear seal.

FIG. 8 illustrates twenty-four locking elements as may be employed on a carriage seal in accordance with the invention along with the engagement structure of FIG.

Figure 9 shows the engagement structure of Figure 7 with locking members of Figure 8 engaged therewith.

Figures 10 and 11 are sectional views, respectively, of embodiments of drive seals in an installed condition with locking members engaged with engagement structures, respectively.

Figure 12 shows an embodiment of a blocking element in a solid construction.

Figures 13 and 14 represent a sliding ring and a special embodiment of a locking element in a perspective partial view.

The present invention is illustrated and described below using exemplary and schematic embodiments, with the same or similar reference numbers being used both in the figures and in the description to refer to the same or at least functionally similar elements and components. FIG. 1 shows a section through a conventional running gear seal 40 as is known from the prior art. The associated housing and shaft or axle flanges are not shown. The running gear seal 40 includes two sliding rings 44 which are shown here in the same way, but can also be designed differently. Each of the sliding rings includes a sliding or running surface 46, the two running surfaces 46 of the sliding rings 44 touching. On the outside (which is also possible on the inside) an elastomer ring 24 is arranged on each of the slide rings 44, with which it rests sealingly on the slide ring 44 and on the other hand rests against a housing or housing, shaft or axle flange, not shown. In this case, the seal only acts between the sliding surfaces 46 between the sliding rings 44, with the elastomer rings supporting the sliding rings in relation to their respective associated housings, shaft flanges or axle flanges and fixing them by frictional engagement. As long as a frictional connection between the elastomer rings 42 and the housing/the flanges and the slide rings 44 is greater than between the two sliding or running surfaces, no problems are to be expected. However, as soon as a coefficient of friction between the running surfaces 46 increases due to wear, a slide ring 44 can begin to rotate relative to its associated elastomer ring 42, which leads to increased wear and destruction of the elastomer ring 42 and failure of the entire drive seal .

The slip rings 44 are conventionally in contact only with each other and with the elastomeric rings to allow some radial, axial, and also minimal canting of the slip rings relative to an axle, shaft, or housing.

So far, mutual rotation between the slide rings and the housing has only been prevented by the frictional connection on the contact surfaces of the elastomer ring, with slow twisting of the slide rings 44 in relation to the elastomer rings 42 or twisting of the slide rings 44 in the area of an elastic deformation of the elastomer rings 42 being accepted . Rigid mounting of the sliding rings 44 is ruled out due to the bearing play and the excessive manufacturing tolerances, with a conventional anti-rotation device using drivers and projections also affecting the movement of the sliding rings relative to one another and can reduce the sealing effect of the drive seal.

FIG. 1 not only serves to show the state of the art here, but also has the task of determining and showing the essential areas, which are referred to in more detail below. The surface 52 corresponds to an inner surface of a slide ring. The slide ring back 48 corresponds to a surface of the slide ring facing a flange or a housing, which surface can be flat or can represent part of a conical surface. The surface 50 designates part of a lateral surface 50 of the slide ring 44 which is located outside of a contact surface 54 for an elastomeric ring 42 .

Even if other designs with elastomer rings 42 arranged on the inside are possible in principle, the corresponding surfaces can be or can be correspondingly modified for special applications.

FIG. 2 shows a possible embodiment of the present invention in a partial sectional view. A sectional view of the slide ring 44 is shown at the top in FIG recognize. The section is nearly tangent to and through the edge of the slip ring 44 with the plane of the section being parallel to an axial direction (a shaft being sealed by the drive seal). The circumferential elastomer ring 42 can be seen on the left and right edge of the section. The outer surface 50 of the sliding ring 44 is shown on the right-hand edge of the sealing ring.

A housing/a housing, axle or shaft flange 60 is shown in FIG. On which the slide ring 44 is directly or indirectly connected via the elastomer ring 42 . In the following, the term flange 60 is used to refer to a housing/a housing, axle or shaft flange. The flange 60 has a flange face 62 with a distance of

A pocket or a recess 33 for a blocking element 8 is let into the downward-pointing slide ring back 48 of the slide ring 44 . The section runs through the recess 33 so that the rear wall of the recess can be seen. A blocking element 10 is arranged in the recess 33 . The blocking element 10 comprises a U-shaped bracket section which is open at the bottom and serves as a fastening section 8 . Rod elements extend from the attachment section 8 and are designed here as leaf springs, with which the blocking element 10 engages in a corresponding engagement structure 6 on an opposite flange 60 . The engagement structure 6 comprises indentations which are arranged in the flange 60 at equal angular intervals in the circumferential direction. In the present embodiment, the indentations as well as the locking elements 10 are designed symmetrically. The locking members 10 are each obliquely engaged with the engaging structures so that the left rod member of the locking member 10 prevents twisting to the left and the right rod member of the locking member 10 prevents twisting to the left. Due to the same angular distances of the depressions of the engagement structure 6, the slide ring 44 could be shifted so far to the right that the rod element now arranged on the right engages in the depression now arranged on the left. The bar element now shown on the left will then engage in a recess that is arranged on the left outside of the image detail. Engagement and mating are illustrated in more detail in Figures 5A-5I.

For FIGS. 3 to 6, it is irrelevant whether the engagement structure or the locking elements are arranged on the flange 60 or the sliding ring 44, respectively. In order not to provide separate figures for both variants, the order of the components and reference numbers will provide information about which components are to be considered together in each case. In the case of double reference numbers, the front one is to be assigned to one version, and the back one is to be assigned to the other version. Either way, however, an engaging structure should always interact with a set of locking elements. It should be clear that opposing engagement structures without associated locking elements do not make sense, just as designs that only oppose locking elements also do not make sense.

FIG. 3 shows a plan view of an annular section of a flange 60 or a slide ring 44. Only the flange face 62 or the slide ring back 48 is shown. The end face is provided with engagement structures 6 in the form of pockets or indentations extending into the plane of the figure. The engagement structure 6 forms a total of twelve indentations, the engagement structure 6 having a rotational symmetry of 30°. Other forms of depressions or elevations or projections are also conceivable as an engagement structure. It is also possible to use other rotational symmetries.

FIG. 4 shows a plan view of one possible embodiment of an annular section of a sliding ring 44 or flange 60 which fits the engagement structure 6 of FIG. Here, too, only the back of the sliding ring 48 or the flange face 62 is shown. The slide ring back 48 / the flange face 62 is provided with six locking elements 10, each of which includes a fastening section 8 . In the fastening section 8, the blocking elements 10 are screwed to the slide ring back 48/the flange face 62 by means of two screws 25, with other types of fastening such as welding, adhesive, riveting or form-fitting connections also being possible. The blocking elements 10 each comprise two bar elements which protrude upwards from the plane of the drawing and are designed so elastically that they can spring perpendicularly to the plane of the drawing. The blocking elements 10 can be made of sheet metal, in which case the bar elements then serve as leaf springs which are biased obliquely upwards. The rod elements run here essentially tangentially to the fastening section 8 of the locking elements 10. FIG. 4 shows a dashed line which corresponds to the sectional line to which the sectional view of FIG. 5B corresponds.

FIG. 5A shows one of the six blocking elements 10 of FIG. 4 in a top view. Since the locking element 10 is shown alone, no heads of the screws 25 are shown in the fastening section 8, but only the holes 26 are present, through which these fastening elements can be inserted.

FIG. 5B shows a side view of the blocking element 10 in a position in which it is fastened to the slide ring back 48 of the slide ring 44 or the flange face 62 of the flange 60. The heads of the screws 25 are also shown in the side view. The section runs perpendicularly through FIG. 4, corresponding to the bar elements of the blocking element, as shown there by the dashed line.

In the section it can be clearly seen that the blocking element 10 comprises two rod elements or arms which protrude slightly obliquely upwards. Given the dimensions of the locking member 10, it is clear that the arms can be pushed down towards the slip ring back 48/flange face 62.

Figure 5C shows the view of Figure 5B in combination with a sectional view of an associated flange 60 or an associated slide ring 44. The associated slide ring back 60/the associated flange face 48 is provided with the engagement structure 6, which in the sectional view as two rectangular cross-section depressions are executed. The locking elements 10 are not yet engaged with the engagement structure 6 . FIG. 5C shows a situation during the assembly of a sliding ring 44 in relation to a flange 60, both aligned with one another but still spaced apart from one another in the axial direction. In FIG. 5D, the flange 60 and the slide ring 44 are brought together in the axial direction to such an extent that the rod elements of the blocking element 10 are in contact with the opposite end face which has the engagement structure 6 . The rod elements of the locking element are elastically deformed in the axial direction and press against the back of the slide ring 62/the flange face 48. However, the rod elements of the locking element 10 are not yet in engagement with the engagement structure 6. FIG. 5D shows that it is not necessary to align the sliding ring in the circumferential direction with respect to the flange for the assembly of the sliding ring. It is therefore not necessary to bring the locking elements 10 into engagement with the engagement structure 6 .

In FIG. 5E, the back of the slide ring 62/the flange face 48 has moved to the left in the circumferential direction, so that the right-hand bar element of the locking element 10 could lower into the right-hand recess of the engagement structure 6. As the movement continues, the left-hand bar element of the locking element 10 springs or snaps into the left-hand recess of the engagement structure 6 . After a further short distance, the right-hand bar element of the locking element 10 abuts against the right-hand flank of the right-hand depression of the engagement structure 6 and prevents further movement of the flange face 62/seal ring back 48 in the circumferential direction to the left. The flange and the sliding ring are locked against further movement of the flange face 62/of the sliding ring back 48 in the circumferential direction to the left.

FIG. 5F shows a load case in the blocking direction of the right rod element of the blocking element 10, under the load. When loaded, the end of the right bar element is caught in the upper right corner of the right indentation and cannot slip out of this corner without deformation. At the same time, the load in the direction of the rod causes an increased contact pressure on the running surface of the associated slide ring, which improves the sealing effect.

In FIG. 5G, a load in the opposite direction, with a corresponding movement of the in the other direction being prevented here. There is a slight circumferential deviation between the states of Figures 5E and 5F, an unavoidable play which is essential for positive engagement of the locking elements 10 in the engagement structure. In the ideal case, the play in the circumferential direction is less than a movement that is possible through elastic deformation of the elastomer ring.

FIG. 5H shows an operating situation in which the drive seal is subjected to pressure in the axial direction, with both rod elements of the blocking element 10 being supported in the axial direction on the bottom of the depressions in the engagement structure 6 and thus counteracting further deformation of the elastomer ring.

FIG. 51 shows an operating situation in which the running gear seal is subjected to a pull in the axial direction. Here, too, the rod element of the locking element 10 remains in engagement with the recess and increases the pressure on the slide ring. Here, the rod elements contribute to maintaining the pressure between the sealing surfaces of the slip rings, even if a load situation occurs that would reduce the sealing surface pressure of the slip rings. FIG. 6 shows a combination of the engagement structure 6 and the locking elements 10 in a plan view in the axial direction, with the sliding ring back 48/the flange face 62 of the component to which the locking elements 10 are attached being indicated only by a light dotted line. The member with the engaging structure is the same as that shown in FIG. The locking elements 10 correspond to those of FIG. 4. One bar element of the locking elements 10 is assigned to a recess of the engagement structure and engages with it. Even if the arrangement of the locking elements only has a rotational symmetry of 60°, the flange and the slide ring can only move by less than 30° at most until all locking elements 10 engage in the engagement structure 6, since the engagement structure 6 already has rotational symmetry of 30°. Only 6 bar elements are available for each direction of rotation to block mutual rotation.

FIG. 7 largely corresponds to FIG. 3 and shows a further embodiment of an engagement structure such as can be used on a running gear seal according to the invention. FIG. 73 shows a top view of an annular section of a flange 60 or a slide ring 44. Only the flange face 62 or the slide ring back 48 is shown, the other components of a slide ring or flange have been omitted for the sake of simplicity. Figure 7 shows a flange face 62/slip ring back 48 of a flange 60 or slip ring 44 with a different engagement structure 6. The indentations of the engagement structure 6 are enlarged clockwise on the inside. This engagement structure 6 is compatible with the locking elements of FIG.

FIG. 8 shows a top view of one possible embodiment of an annular section of a sliding ring 44 or flange 60 which fits the engagement structure 6 of FIG. Here, too, only the back of the sliding ring 48 or the flange face 62 is shown. The slide ring back 48 / the flange face 62 is provided with twenty-four locking elements 10, each comprising a fastening section 8. In the fastening section 8, the locking elements 10 are screwed to the slide ring back 48/the flange end face 62 by means of two screws 25. Here, too, other types of fastening such as welding, adhesive, riveting or form-fitting connections can also be used. The blocking elements 10 each comprise a rod element which protrudes upwards from the plane of the drawing and is designed so elastically that it can spring perpendicularly to the plane of the drawing.

Twelve blocking elements 10 each form an outer ring, in which the rod elements of the blocking elements 10 extend clockwise from the plane of the image in the plan view of the end face 68/62. Twelve blocking elements 10 each form an inner ring, in which the rod elements of the blocking elements 10 extend counterclockwise from the plane of the image in the plan view of the end face 68/62. The rings each form a kind of freewheel, with the two freewheels facing each other and always blocking each other, with a small amount of return movement or small play being possible.

Figure 9 shows a combination of the engagement structure 6 and the locking elements 10 of Figures 7 and 8 in a plan view in the axial direction, with the sliding ring back 48/the flange face 62 of the component to which the locking elements 10 are attached being indicated only by a light dotted line. The component with the engaging structure is the same as shown in FIG. The blocking elements 10 correspond to those of FIG. 8, the orientation of the outer and inner bar elements being reversed due to the opposite viewing direction, and the bar elements each extending obliquely into the plane of the image. In each case one rod element of two locking elements 10 is assigned to a depression in the engagement structure 6 and engages with it. Here both the engagement structure 6 and the locking elements 10 have a rotational symmetry of 30°. In contrast to the embodiment in FIG. 6, 12 rod elements are available for each direction of rotation to block mutual rotation, which is why this embodiment is secured against twisting at least twice as much as the embodiment in FIG.

Figures 10 and 11 each show sectional views of embodiments of drive seals in an installed condition, with latching elements engaged with engagement structures, respectively.

FIG. 10 shows the principle of the anti-twist devices from FIGS. 2 to 9 in a technical drawing, in which two locking elements 10 are used between a flange 60 and a slide ring 44 . The flange 60, which has a through-opening, is arranged on the left-hand side in section. Two blocking elements are attached to the through-opening on one end face of the flange 60 by means of rivets. Only one blocking element 10 can be seen through the section. As in FIG. 5, the blocking element comprises two bar elements. The sliding ring 44 is elastically mounted in the flange via an elastomeric ring having a polygonal cross section, and can easily move in the axial direction and perpendicularly to the axial direction with deformation of the elastomeric ring. It is also possible to slightly tilt the slide ring relative to the flange. The two rod elements of the locking element 10 are each engaged with depressions in the engagement structure 6 of the sliding ring 44. The locking elements 10 which engage in the depressions in the engagement structure 6 mean that the sliding ring 44 can no longer be twisted relative to the flange 60. It can thus be ruled out that there can be considerable wear of the elastomer ring on the contact surfaces with the flange or the slide ring. A leak in the contact surface between the elastomer ring and the flange 40 or the sliding ring 44 can also be avoided by reduced wear. The inner surface 52 of the slide ring 44 is clearly visible. On the right side of the sliding ring 44, the sliding surface 46 is arranged to run on a corresponding counterpart.

FIG. 11 shows an embodiment which largely corresponds to that of FIG. 10, a total of five locking elements 10 with a total of ten rod elements being used in FIG. The locking element 10 arranged below lies exactly halfway on the sectional plane. The embodiment of FIG. 11 has a torsional strength that is increased by a factor of 2.5 due to the blocking elements 10 .

It is pointed out that the locking elements can also be arranged on the sliding ring and the engagement structures can be provided on the flange, as is shown in FIG. 2, for example. The detail of FIG. 10 with the engagement structure 6 and the locking element 10 can be replaced by the detail, for example, of the locking element 10 and the engagement structure 6 of FIG. FIG. 12 shows a further embodiment of a blocking element 10. The blocking element 10 has a fastening section 8 which is provided with a thread with which the blocking element can be screwed into a corresponding threaded hole. A rod element of the blocking element 10 is pivotably connected to the fastening section 8 via a ball joint and an elastomer jacket. This version is only intended to be able to transmit large forces with a few blocking elements. In contrast to the leaf spring designs described above, it is clear that a massive, rigid, pivotably mounted rod element will not buckle even under high loads and thus reliable self-locking anti-rotation protection is possible with only two locking elements per direction of rotation.

Figure 13 shows a view of one edge of a sealing ring 44. An outer lateral surface 50 of the sliding ring 44 faces the viewer. The middle part of the outer lateral surface 50 of the sliding ring 44 is closer to the viewer than the two parts to the left and right of the middle which are towards curve backwards. The slide ring back 48 of the slide ring 44 can be seen at the top and forms an edge with the lateral surface 50. A depression or an incision is made in the lateral surface. The projection of the circumferential direction is essentially horizontal to the viewer in the image plane and the projection of the axial direction is essentially perpendicular to the viewer in the plane of the drawing. The image detail roughly corresponds to part of an edge of a pipe end.

The recess here does not represent an indentation of an engagement structure, but is only intended to enable the viewer to orientate himself in relation to FIG. 1, since this is essential for understanding FIG.

FIG. 14 shows the same section of the edge of the slide ring 44 of FIG. 13, with a locking element being inserted into the depression.

The locking element 10 comprises a fastening section 8, a part of the fastening section 8 resting on the bottom of the indentation/incision. A tab extends downwards from this part in the direction of the viewer and rests on the lateral surface 50 . Another tab, which cannot be seen, runs to the rear, away from the viewer and rests on the lateral surface 50 on the inner surface of the slide ring 44 . The locking element 10 is clamped onto the edge of the slide ring by the two tabs and fixed in the radial direction. Two projections of the blocking element 10 run from the fastening section 8 in the axial direction to the back of the sliding ring 48 of the sliding ring 44.

The projections of the blocking element 10 run obliquely above the sliding ring back 48 and almost tangentially to the lateral surface 50 of the sliding ring and form elastically resilient rod elements which can be brought into engagement with corresponding recesses or projections of an engagement structure of an opposite flange. LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

6 engagement structure

8 Fixing portion of locking member 10 Locking member

25 fixing screw

26 mounting hole

33 recess for a locking element

40 running gear seal 42 elastomer seal / elastomer ring

44 slip ring

46 running surfaces / sliding surfaces

48 slide ring back

50 Outer lateral surface of the sliding ring 52 Inner surface of the sliding ring

54 Abutment / contact surface for an elastomer ring

60 flange or housing / housing, axle or shaft flange

62 Flange face or face of a housing / housing, axle or shaft flange

Claims

Claims Slide ring (44) for a running gear seal (40) with a sliding surface (46) and at least one contact surface (54) for an elastomer ring (42), characterized by at least two projecting resilient locking elements (10) arranged in the circumferential direction, in particular by at least two Locking members (10) having pawls or locking springs adapted to engage at least one corresponding circumferential engagement structure (6) on the slide ring (44) or on a housing (60). Slip ring (44) according to claim 1, wherein the locking elements (10) each point in the same circumferential direction. Slip ring (44) according to claim 1, wherein an even number of locking elements (10) are provided, with half of the locking elements (10) each pointing in a circumferential direction and another half of the locking elements (10) being oriented opposite to the circumferential direction. Slip ring (44) according to claim 3, wherein half of the locking elements (10) pointing in the circumferential direction are spaced radially and/or axially from the other half of the locking elements (10) oriented opposite to the circumferential direction. Sliding ring (44) according to one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the blocking elements (10) extend in the axial direction, in the radial direction, in the radial and axial direction or at an angle of between 15° and 60° to an axial direction. Sliding ring (44) according to one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the locking elements (10) are arranged regularly in the circumferential direction and/or the arrangement of the locking elements (10) has a rotational symmetry of between 1° and 180°, preferably between 2° and 60 ° and more preferably between 1° and 30°. Sliding ring (44) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the contact surface (54) for an elastomer ring (42) forms a conical surface. Sliding ring (44) according to one of the preceding claims with the exception of the preceding claim, wherein the contact surface (54) is set up for an elastomer ring (42) with a trapezoidal or rhombic profile. Sliding ring (44) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the blocking elements (10) are designed as blocking or blocking leaf springs or as bar elements which can yield resiliently in the axial direction or in the axial and radial directions. Housing (60), set up to accommodate an elastomer ring (42) and a slide ring (44) according to one of Claims 1 to 9, with a contact surface (54) for an elastomer ring (42), characterized in that on the housing (60) running in the circumferential direction

Engagement structure (6) is provided, which is set up to be in engagement or to come into engagement with at least one locking element (10) of a sliding ring (44).

11. Housing (60) according to claim 10, set up for receiving an elastomeric ring (42) and a slip ring (44) having the features of claim 4, wherein the engagement structure (6) is set up with half of the locking elements (10) to engage pointing in the circumferential direction, and wherein the engagement structure (6) is arranged to engage with the other half of the locking elements (10) oriented opposite to the circumferential direction, the first half of the locking elements (10) and the second half of the locking elements (10) are in engagement with the engagement structure (6) radially and/or axially offset from one another.

12. Housing (60) according to claim 10 or 11, wherein the circumferentially extending engagement structure (6) is regular and/or has a rotational symmetry of between 1° and 45°, preferably between 2° and 30° and more preferably between 1° and 15°.

The housing (60) according to claim 10, 11 or 12, wherein the circumferential engagement structure (6) extends in an axial direction, in a radial direction, in a radial and axial direction, or at an angle between 15° and 60° to an axial direction.

14. Housing (60) according to any one of the preceding claims 10, 11, 12 or 13, wherein the contact surface (54) for an elastomeric ring (42) forms a conical surface.

15. Housing (60) according to any one of the preceding claims 10 to 14, wherein the contact surface (54) for an elastomer ring (42) is designed with a trapezoidal or rhombic profile.

16. Combination of at least one sliding ring (44) according to any one of claims 1-9, at least one elastomeric ring (42) and a housing (60) according to any one of claims 10-15.

17. Combination with two in sliding rings (44) according to any one of claims 1-10, and two elastomeric rings (42).

18. Sliding ring (44) for a running gear seal (40) with a sliding surface (46) and at least one contact surface (54) for an elastomer ring (42), characterized by an engagement structure (6) running in the circumferential direction, which is equipped with locking elements (10 ) of a housing (60) to be engaged.

The sliding ring (44) according to claim 18, wherein the circumferentially extending engagement structure (6) comprises engagement locations that are radially and/or axially spaced from each other. Sliding ring (44) according to claim 18 or 19, wherein the engagement structure (6) running in the circumferential direction is regular and/or has a rotational symmetry of between 1° and 45°, preferably between 2° and 30° and more preferably between 1° and 15 ° has. A slip ring (44) according to any one of claims 18 to 20, wherein the circumferential engagement structure (6) extends axially, radially, radially and axially, or at an angle between 15° and 60° to an axial direction. Sliding ring (44) according to one of the preceding claims 18 to 21, wherein the contact surface (54) for an elastomer ring (42) forms a conical surface. Sliding ring (44) according to one of the preceding claims 18 to 22, wherein the contact surface (54) for an elastomer ring (42) is designed with a trapezoidal or rhombic profile. Sliding ring (44) according to one of the preceding claims 18 to 23, wherein the engagement structure (6) is designed for engagement with at least one resilient locking element (10), preferably two locking elements (10), in particular with pawls or locking springs. Housing (60) with at least one contact surface (54) for an elastomer ring (42), characterized by at least two resilient locking elements (10) arranged and projecting in the circumferential direction, in particular at least two locking pawls or locking springs, which are set up in corresponding circumferential direction extending engagement structures ( 6) engage in a slip ring (44) for a drive seal (40). Housing (60) according to claim 25, wherein the locking elements (10) each point in the same circumferential direction. A housing (60) according to claim 25, wherein a symmetrical number of locking elements (10) are provided, with half of the locking elements (10) pointing in a circumferential direction and another half of the locking elements (10) being oriented opposite to the circumferential direction. Housing (60) according to one of claims 25 to 27, wherein the locking elements (10) extend in the axial direction, in the radial direction, in the radial and axial direction or at an angle between 15° and 60° to an axial direction. Housing (60) according to one of claims 25 to 28, wherein the locking elements (10) are arranged regularly in the circumferential direction and/or the arrangement of the locking elements (10) has a rotational symmetry of between 1° and 180°, preferably between 2° and 60 ° and more preferably between 1° and 30°.

30. Housing (60) according to any one of claims 25-29, wherein the contact surface (54) for an elastomeric ring (42) forms a conical surface.

31. Housing (60) according to any one of claims 25-30, wherein the contact surface (54) for an elastomer ring (42) is designed with a trapezoidal or diamond-shaped profile.

32. Housing (60) according to any one of claims 25-31, wherein the locking elements (10) are designed as locking or locking leaf springs or as rod elements which can yield resiliently in the axial and radial directions.

33. Combination of at least one slide ring (44) according to any one of claims 19 to 25, and at least one elastomer ring (42), and a housing (60) according to any one of claims 25-32. 34. Combination according to claim 33, wherein the rotational symmetry of the arrangement of

Locking elements (10) differs from the rotational symmetry of the engagement structure (6).