GB2538042A - Sealed bearing - Google Patents
Sealed bearing Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- GB2538042A GB2538042A GB1503122.2A GB201503122A GB2538042A GB 2538042 A GB2538042 A GB 2538042A GB 201503122 A GB201503122 A GB 201503122A GB 2538042 A GB2538042 A GB 2538042A
- Authority
- GB
- United Kingdom
- Prior art keywords
- seal
- radial
- stepped portion
- bearing
- oriented surface
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Withdrawn
Links
Classifications
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
- F16C—SHAFTS; FLEXIBLE SHAFTS; ELEMENTS OR CRANKSHAFT MECHANISMS; ROTARY BODIES OTHER THAN GEARING ELEMENTS; BEARINGS
- F16C33/00—Parts of bearings; Special methods for making bearings or parts thereof
- F16C33/72—Sealings
- F16C33/76—Sealings of ball or roller bearings
- F16C33/80—Labyrinth sealings
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
- F16C—SHAFTS; FLEXIBLE SHAFTS; ELEMENTS OR CRANKSHAFT MECHANISMS; ROTARY BODIES OTHER THAN GEARING ELEMENTS; BEARINGS
- F16C33/00—Parts of bearings; Special methods for making bearings or parts thereof
- F16C33/72—Sealings
- F16C33/76—Sealings of ball or roller bearings
- F16C33/78—Sealings of ball or roller bearings with a diaphragm, disc, or ring, with or without resilient members
- F16C33/7816—Details of the sealing or parts thereof, e.g. geometry, material
- F16C33/782—Details of the sealing or parts thereof, e.g. geometry, material of the sealing region
- F16C33/7823—Details of the sealing or parts thereof, e.g. geometry, material of the sealing region of sealing lips
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
- F16C—SHAFTS; FLEXIBLE SHAFTS; ELEMENTS OR CRANKSHAFT MECHANISMS; ROTARY BODIES OTHER THAN GEARING ELEMENTS; BEARINGS
- F16C33/00—Parts of bearings; Special methods for making bearings or parts thereof
- F16C33/72—Sealings
- F16C33/76—Sealings of ball or roller bearings
- F16C33/78—Sealings of ball or roller bearings with a diaphragm, disc, or ring, with or without resilient members
- F16C33/7816—Details of the sealing or parts thereof, e.g. geometry, material
- F16C33/782—Details of the sealing or parts thereof, e.g. geometry, material of the sealing region
- F16C33/7826—Details of the sealing or parts thereof, e.g. geometry, material of the sealing region of the opposing surface cooperating with the seal, e.g. a shoulder surface of a bearing ring
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
- F16C—SHAFTS; FLEXIBLE SHAFTS; ELEMENTS OR CRANKSHAFT MECHANISMS; ROTARY BODIES OTHER THAN GEARING ELEMENTS; BEARINGS
- F16C33/00—Parts of bearings; Special methods for making bearings or parts thereof
- F16C33/72—Sealings
- F16C33/76—Sealings of ball or roller bearings
- F16C33/78—Sealings of ball or roller bearings with a diaphragm, disc, or ring, with or without resilient members
- F16C33/784—Sealings of ball or roller bearings with a diaphragm, disc, or ring, with or without resilient members mounted to a groove in the inner surface of the outer race and extending toward the inner race
- F16C33/7843—Sealings of ball or roller bearings with a diaphragm, disc, or ring, with or without resilient members mounted to a groove in the inner surface of the outer race and extending toward the inner race with a single annular sealing disc
- F16C33/7846—Sealings of ball or roller bearings with a diaphragm, disc, or ring, with or without resilient members mounted to a groove in the inner surface of the outer race and extending toward the inner race with a single annular sealing disc with a gap between the annular disc and the inner race
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
- F16C—SHAFTS; FLEXIBLE SHAFTS; ELEMENTS OR CRANKSHAFT MECHANISMS; ROTARY BODIES OTHER THAN GEARING ELEMENTS; BEARINGS
- F16C19/00—Bearings with rolling contact, for exclusively rotary movement
- F16C19/02—Bearings with rolling contact, for exclusively rotary movement with bearing balls essentially of the same size in one or more circular rows
- F16C19/04—Bearings with rolling contact, for exclusively rotary movement with bearing balls essentially of the same size in one or more circular rows for radial load mainly
- F16C19/06—Bearings with rolling contact, for exclusively rotary movement with bearing balls essentially of the same size in one or more circular rows for radial load mainly with a single row or balls
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
- F16C—SHAFTS; FLEXIBLE SHAFTS; ELEMENTS OR CRANKSHAFT MECHANISMS; ROTARY BODIES OTHER THAN GEARING ELEMENTS; BEARINGS
- F16C2300/00—Application independent of particular apparatuses
- F16C2300/02—General use or purpose, i.e. no use, purpose, special adaptation or modification indicated or a wide variety of uses mentioned
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
- F16C—SHAFTS; FLEXIBLE SHAFTS; ELEMENTS OR CRANKSHAFT MECHANISMS; ROTARY BODIES OTHER THAN GEARING ELEMENTS; BEARINGS
- F16C33/00—Parts of bearings; Special methods for making bearings or parts thereof
- F16C33/30—Parts of ball or roller bearings
- F16C33/66—Special parts or details in view of lubrication
- F16C33/6603—Special parts or details in view of lubrication with grease as lubricant
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Rolling Contact Bearings (AREA)
Abstract
A rolling element bearing including a stepped non-contact seal is provided. The rolling element bearing comprises: an inner ring 110; an outer ring (not illustrated); and a seal 120 for enclosing a radial gap between the inner and outer rings. The seal 120 is mounted to the outer ring. The inner ring 110 comprises a shoulder part 111, adjacent to an inner raceway for rolling elements of the bearing, and further comprises first and second stepped portions 115, 118. The shoulder part 111 has a diameter Ds; the first stepped portion 115 has diameter D1 and the second stepped portion has a diameter D2, whereby D2 < D1 < Ds. According to the invention, the seal 120 comprises a first radial seal portion 123 that extends into the first stepped portion 115 of the inner ring 110, and further comprises a second radial seal portion 124 that extends into the second stepped portion 118. A gap between opposing surfaces of the first and second radial seal portions 123, 124 and the first and second stepped portions 115, 118 respectively creates a labyrinth sealing region.
Description
Sealed bearing
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to a rolling element bearing comprising a non-contact seal 5 for enclosing a radial gap between an inner ring and an outer ring of the bearing.
BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION
In bearings, seals are typically used to retain a lubricant within a cavity of the bearing and to prevent the ingress of moisture and particulate contaminants. In grease-lubricated bearings, non-contact seals or shields are often used. Such seals necessarily have the benefit of generating significantly less friction than, for example, a seal with an elastomeric contact lip, but do not always provide sufficient protection against the ingress of contaminants.
One example of a sealed bearing, comprising a non-contact seal, is disclosed in US6715765. At each axially outer side, the bearing inner ring has a recessed portion with a diameter that is smaller than a shoulder of the inner ring, which shoulder adjoins the inner raceway. The recessed portion has an axially oriented surface and a radially oriented surface. The seal extends into the recessed portion and has surfaces that face the axially and radially oriented surfaces of the recessed portion with a small gap.
There is still room for improvement.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention resides in a rolling element bearing comprising an inner ring, an outer ring and a seal for enclosing a radial gap between the inner and outer rings, which is mounted to the outer ring. The inner ring comprises a shoulder part, adjacent to an inner raceway for rolling elements of the bearing, and further comprises first and second stepped portions. The shoulder part has a diameter Ds; the first stepped portion has diameter D1 and the second stepped portion has a diameter D2, whereby D2 < D1 < D. According to the invention, the seal comprises a first radial seal portion that extends into the first stepped portion of the inner ring, and further comprises a second radial seal portion that extends into the second stepped portion. A gap between opposing surfaces of the first and second radial seal portions and the first and second stepped portions respectively creates a labyrinth sealing region.
Specifically, the labyrinth sealing region comprises: -a first axial gap between the axially oriented surface of the first stepped portion and an axially oriented surface of the first radial seal portion; -a first radial gap between the radially oriented surface of the first stepped portion and a radially oriented surface of the first radial seal portion; a second axial gap between the axially oriented surface of the second stepped portion and an axially oriented surface of the second radial seal portion; and -a second radial gap between the radially oriented surface of the second stepped portion and a radially oriented surface of the second radial seal portion.
The complementary geometry of the inner ring stepped portions and the radial 20 seal portions creates a labyrinth with at least two axial and at least two radial gap sections. Such a labyrinth acts as a highly effective barrier, to prevent the ingress of moisture and other contaminants.
In a preferred embodiment, the bearing is a deep-groove ball bearing which is filled with a grease lubricant, prior to being fitted at each axial side with a seal having radial portions as described above. However, any type of bearing which is "greased for life" may be executed as a sealed bearing according to the invention.
In a further development, the seal further comprises a non-contacting axial seal portion that extends over the inner ring shoulder. A third radial gap section is created between a radially outer surface of the shoulder and a radially inner surface of the axial seal portion. The third radial gap forms part of the labyrinth sealing region and not only helps to prevent the ingress of contamination into the bearing cavity, but also helps to prevent the leakage of lubricant out of the bearing cavity.
Suitably, the axial and radial gap sections have a gap width of between 0.01 and 0.5 mm and a gap length that is at least two times greater than the gap width. In the example of a deep-groove ball bearing, which may, in use, experience significant axial displacement between the inner and outer bearing rings, the gap width is selected such that no contact occurs between the inner ring and the seal in a position of maximum expected relative displacement.
Preferably, the seal for use in a sealed bearing according to the invention is manufactured as a single part from the same material. The seal may be made from metal or from a polymer material. In one example, the seal comprises an annular insert, from which the radial seal portions extend, whereby the seal is mounted to a groove in the bearing outer ring at an outer diameter of the annular insert.
In a further development, surfaces of the seal which form part of the labyrinth sealing region may be provided with grooves for catching grease and contaminants.
In a still further development, an axially outer surface of the inner ring comprises an indentation, at a diameter on the ring that is slightly smaller than the diameter D2 of the second stepped portion. The indentation creates a small overhang which, during rotation of the inner ring, acts as a splash deflector, providing the entrance to the labyrinth sealing region with additional protection against the ingress of contaminants.
Other advantages of the invention will become apparent in the following detailed description and accompanying figures.
DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
In the following, the invention is described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig.la is a cross-sectional view of part of a sealed bearing according to the invention, showing part of an inner ring of the bearing and part of the seal; Fig. lb shows the inner ring part; and Fig. lc shows the seal part.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
A detail of part of a sealed bearing according to the invention is shown in Figure la, whereby the individual components of the depicted sealed bearing are shown separately in Figures lb and lc. The sealed bearing comprises a deep-groove ball bearing, which has an outer ring (not shown) and an inner ring 110 that is rotatable about an axis of rotation 105. At each axial side of the bearing, the annular gap between the bearing rings is enclosed by a seal 120. The seal has a casing element 121 that is mounted to the outer ring. The casing element may comprise an annular metal insert that is e.g. fitted into a groove in an inner circumference of the outer ring. Typically, the insert is covered by a polymer material at the mounting interface with the outer ring.
The seal 120 is a non-contact seal which is designed to provide excellent sealing in terms of preventing contamination from entering a cavity of the bearing, between the inner and outer rings. The depicted embodiment is also optimized in terms of preventing leakage of a lubricant that is contained within the bearing cavity. This is achieved according to the invention by means of a complementary geometry between the bearing inner ring 110 and a radially inner section of the seal 123.
Specifically, the inner ring 110 of the bearing has a shoulder part 111, which is adjacent to an inner raceway (not shown) that is provided on the inner ring as a running track for the balls of the bearing. The shoulder part 111 has a maximum diameter Ds. The inner ring further comprises a first stepped portion, adjacent to the shoulder part 111, which has a maximum diameter D1 that is smaller than Ds. The first stepped portion has an axially oriented surface 112 and a radially oriented surface 115. The inner ring further comprises a second stepped portion, adjacent to the first stepped portion. The second stepped portion comprises an axially oriented surface 117 and a radially oriented surface 118.
The radially inner section of the seal 122 has an axial portion 126 that extends in an axially inward direction from the casing element 121 and has first and second radial portions 123, 124 that extend from the casing element in a radially inward direction. The first radial seal portion 123 extends into the first stepped portion of the inner ring 110; the second radial seal portion 124 extends into the second stepped portion of the inner ring. The casing element 121 and radially inner seal section 122 are preferably formed as a single part from the same material, which may be a metal or polymer material.
A labyrinth sealing region is created by a gap between opposing surfaces of the inner ring 110 and the radially inner section 122 of the seal. The labyrinth sealing region comprises: a first axial gap section between the axially oriented surface 112 of the first stepped portion of the inner ring and an axially oriented surface 132 of the first radial seal portion 123; a first radial gap section between the radially oriented surface 115 of the first stepped portion of the inner ring and a radially oriented surface 135 of the first radial seal portion 123; a second axial gap section between the axially oriented surface 117 of the second stepped portion of the inner ring and an axially oriented surface 137 of the second radial seal portion 124; and a second radial gap section between the radially oriented surface 118 of the first stepped portion of the inner ring and a radially oriented surface 138 of the second radial seal portion 124.
The above mentioned axial and radial gap sections of the labyrinth sealing region have a gap width of between 0.01 and 0.5 mm, and gap length which is at least two times greater than the gap width. Suitably, the gap width is as small as possible, while allowing for relative axial and radial displacements between the inner ring, without contact taking place. Thus a highly effective labyrinth seal is created, which severely hinders the ingress of contaminants.
To further decrease the likelihood of contaminant ingress, the inner ring is provided with a feature that acts as a splash deflector. At the axial periphery of the inner ring 110, at a diameter only slightly smaller than the maximum diameter 02 of the second stepped portion, an indentation 119 is provided. The indentation creates an overhang which, during rotation of the inner ring, deflects moisture and other contaminants away from the entrance to the second axial gap section.
In the depicted embodiment, the labyrinth sealing region further comprises a third radial gap section, between the radially outer surface of the inner ring shoulder 111 and a radially inner surface 131 of the axial portion 122 of the seal. The third radial gap further enhances the exclusion functionality of the labyrinth and helps to prevent the leakage of lubricant. Advantageously, the radially inner surface 131 of the axial portion, or the surface of any other portion of the radially inner seal section 122 that faces the labyrinth sealing region, may be provided with grooves for catching grease or contaminants.
A number of aspects/embodiments of the invention have been described. It is to be understood that each aspect/embodiment may be combined with any other aspect/embodiment. The invention may thus be varied within the scope of the accompanying patent claims.
Claims (10)
- Patent Claims: 1. A sealed bearing comprising a rolling element bearing with an inner ring (110), an outer ring and a seal (120, 220), the seal being a non-contact seal that is mounted to the outer ring, whereby inner ring comprises: * a shoulder part (111), adjacent to an inner raceway for rolling elements of the bearing, the shoulder part having a maximum diameter Ds; * a first stepped portion, adjacent to the shoulder part (111), the first stepped portion having an axially oriented surface (112) and a radially oriented surface (115) with a maximum diameter D1, whereby D1 < Ds and * a second stepped portion, adjacent to the first stepped portion, the second stepped portion having an axially oriented surface (117) and a radially oriented surface (118) with a maximum diameter D2, whereby D2 < D1; characterized in that the seal comprises a first radial seal portion (123) that extends into the first stepped portion of the inner ring (110) and a second radial seal portion (124) that extends into the second stepped portion of the inner ring, creating a labyrinth sealing region which comprises: - a first axial gap between the axially oriented surface of the first stepped portion and an axially oriented surface (132) of the first radial seal portion (123); -a first radial gap between the radially oriented surface of the first stepped portion and a radially oriented surface (135) of the first radial seal portion; a second axial gap between the axially oriented surface of the second stepped portion and an axially oriented surface (137) of the second radial seal portion (124); and a second radial gap between the radially oriented surface of the second stepped portion and a radially oriented surface (138) of the second radial seal portion.
- 2.
- 3.
- 4.
- 5.
- 6.
- 7.
- 8.The sealed bearing of claim 1, wherein the rob-1g element bearing is a deep-groove ball bearing.The sealed bearing of claim 1 or 2, wherein the seal further comprises an axial seal portion (122) that extends over the inner ring shoulder (111) and wherein the labyrinth sealing region further comprises a third radial gap between the shoulder (111) and a radially inner surface (131) of the axial seal portion.The sealed bearing of any preceding claim, wherein at least one of the first and second axial gaps has an axial width of between 0.01 and 0.5 mm and has a length in radial direction which is at least two times greater than the axial width.The sealed bearing of any preceding claim, wherein at least one of the first and second radial gaps has an radial width of between 0.01 and 0.5 mm and has a length in axial direction which is at least two times greater than the radial width.The sealed bearing of any preceding claim, wherein the first and second radial seal portions (123, 124) extend from an annular insert (121) and wherein the seal is mounted to the outer bearing ring at an outer diameter of the annular insert.The sealed bearing of claim 6, wherein the annular insert (121) and the first and second radial seal portions are made as a single part from the same material.The sealed bearing of claim 7, wherein the material is a metal or a polymer.
- 9. The sealed bearing of any preceding claim, wherein the inner ring (110) comprises an indentation (119) at an axial periphery of the inner ring, close to an entrance to the second axial gap, the indentation forming an overhang which actively repels contaminants during rotation of the inner ring.
- 10. The bearing of any preceding claim, wherein a surface of the seal, which faces the labyrinth sealing region, is provided with grooves.
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
PCT/EP2015/076324 WO2016083133A1 (en) | 2014-11-28 | 2015-11-11 | Sealed bearing |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
EP2014076014 | 2014-11-28 |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
GB201503122D0 GB201503122D0 (en) | 2015-04-08 |
GB2538042A true GB2538042A (en) | 2016-11-09 |
Family
ID=52822140
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
GB1503122.2A Withdrawn GB2538042A (en) | 2014-11-28 | 2015-02-25 | Sealed bearing |
Country Status (1)
Country | Link |
---|---|
GB (1) | GB2538042A (en) |
Citations (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US5860748A (en) * | 1996-07-05 | 1999-01-19 | Koyo Seiko Co., Ltd. | Sealing device for roller bearing |
US6402158B1 (en) * | 1998-01-13 | 2002-06-11 | Nichia Precision Industry Co., Ltd. | Seal disk for bearings |
JP2010090985A (en) * | 2008-10-08 | 2010-04-22 | Ntn Corp | Bearing shield, bearing seal, and rolling bearing using these |
JP2012197867A (en) * | 2011-03-22 | 2012-10-18 | Jtekt Corp | Rolling bearing |
-
2015
- 2015-02-25 GB GB1503122.2A patent/GB2538042A/en not_active Withdrawn
Patent Citations (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US5860748A (en) * | 1996-07-05 | 1999-01-19 | Koyo Seiko Co., Ltd. | Sealing device for roller bearing |
US6402158B1 (en) * | 1998-01-13 | 2002-06-11 | Nichia Precision Industry Co., Ltd. | Seal disk for bearings |
JP2010090985A (en) * | 2008-10-08 | 2010-04-22 | Ntn Corp | Bearing shield, bearing seal, and rolling bearing using these |
JP2012197867A (en) * | 2011-03-22 | 2012-10-18 | Jtekt Corp | Rolling bearing |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
GB201503122D0 (en) | 2015-04-08 |
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Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
WAP | Application withdrawn, taken to be withdrawn or refused ** after publication under section 16(1) |