Bearings – Rotary bearing – Antifriction bearing
Reexamination Certificate
1999-05-06
2001-03-20
Footland, Lenard A. (Department: 3682)
Bearings
Rotary bearing
Antifriction bearing
C384S477000, C384S551000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06203206
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a sealing device. More particularly, the present invention has its main application in connection with bearing assemblies for wheel axles of motor vehicles.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
In connection with motor vehicles, different types of bearings may be utilized for supporting the wheels on their respective wheel axles. Where, for instance, heavier commercial vehicles are concerned, the rear wheels may be carried on bearings on the rear axle of the vehicle by means of two roller bearings mounted next to each other. According to the prior art, these roller bearings are typically arranged side by side so that they bear on each other. The roller bearings are kept together in an unmounted condition by means of a bearing ring, which is substantially annular, and which is mounted on the rear axle.
Within the internal surfaces of the inner races of the bearings, i.e. on the surfaces which constitute the inside of the inner races and the outside of the rear axle itself, a thin layer of oil must be supplied for the purpose of protecting the bearings and the rear axle from corrosion. This oil is successively supplied through the interior of the rear axle and is conducted in between the peripheral surface of the rear axle and the inner side of each respective roller bearing.
Furthermore, according to the prior art, the roller bearings themselves are lubricated by bearing grease. This bearing grease is applied when assembling the roller bearings and is retained on the bearing rollers and bearing races by means of seals.
A problem which occurs in connection with these previously known rear axle assemblies is related to the fact that a small gap or interval is formed between the inner races of the two roller bearings. This, in turn, creates the risk that the oil layer between the insides of the roller bearings and the rear axle can penetrate through this gap during operation of the vehicle. This may occur as a result of the small movements which always arise in the rear axle during operation of the vehicle, in which case the gap between the inner races cannot be kept completely sealed.
The fact that oil leaks out in a radial direction through the gap between the two bearings entails certain disadvantages. On the one hand, the oil is harmful to the bearing grease of the roller bearings. On the other hand, the oil may contain impurities in the form of small particles which may be deposited on the bearings, something which naturally is a disadvantage. A further disadvantage with such leakage is that the surf ace of the rear axle and the internal surfaces of the inner races risk running dry, which in turn creates a risk of contact corrosion between the bearings and the rear axle. This means, for instance, that wheel changes are rendered considerably more difficult.
In light of the above-mentioned problems, there is a need for seals, which can seal the gap between the inner races. However, this presents further difficulties, among other things resulting from the fact that the area around the gap becomes inaccessible once the bearings have been pressed into position. This results in difficulties when mounting the bearings and seals for such bearings.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The object of the present invention is to provide an improved sealing device, which is primarily intended for sealing in connection with bearing assemblies on wheel axles of motor vehicles, whereby the disadvantages of previously known devices of this kind are overcome.
In accordance with the present invention, this and other objects have now been realized by the discovery of apparatus for sealing bearing assemblies comprising a first bearing including a first inner race, a second bearing including a second inner race, a shaft, the first and second inner races including an inner surface and being juxtaposed on the shaft with the inner surfaces facing the shaft, whereby a gap is formed between the first and second inner races, a substantially annular sealing member mounted on the first and second inner races, the substantially annular sealing member including a positioning member for axially positioning the substantially annular sealing member on the first and second inner races, and sealing means for sealing the substantially annular sealing member against the first and second inner races, whereby oil supplied between the shaft and the inner surfaces of the first and second inner races is prevented from flowing through the gap. In a preferred embodiment, at least one of the first and second inner races includes a deformation, and the positioning member includes an edge portion for interaction with the deformation.
In accordance with one embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention, the sealing means comprises at least one O-ring.
In accordance with another embodiment of the appartus of the present invention, the sealing means comprises a pair of sealing members, and the substantially annular sealing member includes a pair of peripheral grooves on either side of the substantially annular sealing member, whereby the pair of peripheral grooves supports the pair of sealing members.
In accordance with another embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention, the first and second inner races form a deformation therebetween, whereby the positioning member may interact with the deformation. In a preferred embodiment, the first and second inner races include peripheral angled surfaces forming a groove-shaped recess comprising the deformation. In another embodiment, the first and second inner races include peripheral beveled edges forming a groove-shaped recess comprising the deformation. Preferably, the positioning member comprises a peripheral edge portion for interaction with the deformation. In a preferred embodiment, the sealing means comprises a pair of O-rings.
The present invention is comprised of a sealing device which is intended to be utilized in connection with a bearing assembly, comprising a first bearing with a first inner race and a second bearing with a second inner race, which inner races are arranged next to each other on a shaft so that a gap is formed between the inner races. Furthermore, oil is supplied between the shaft and the surfaces of the inner races facing the shaft. According to the present invention, the sealing device comprises a substantially annular member for mounting on the inner races. The annular member comprises a positioning member for positioning of the sealing device in an axial direction in relation to the inner races, as well as sealing members for sealing against each respective inner race.
REFERENCES:
patent: 5242229 (1993-09-01), McLarty
patent: 5492419 (1996-02-01), Miller et al.
patent: 42 22 852 A1 (1994-01-01), None
patent: 42 26 618 A1 (1994-02-01), None
patent: 195 26 167 A1 (1996-01-01), None
Footland Lenard A.
Lerner David Littenberg Krumholz & Mentlik LLP
Volvo Lastvagnar AB
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