	US 12,449,003 B2
	Sealing arrangement for wheel bearings, and wheel bearing unit comprising a sealing arrangement
Branko Katana, Herzogenaurach (DE); and Marco Krapf, Burkardroth (DE)
Assigned to Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG, Herzogenaurach (DE)
Appl. No. 18/026,445
Filed by Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG, Herzogenaurach (DE)
PCT Filed Sep. 29, 2021, PCT No. PCT/DE2021/100786 § 371(c)(1), (2) Date Mar. 15, 2023, PCT Pub. No. WO2022/073548, PCT Pub. Date Apr. 14, 2022.
Claims priority of application No. 10 2020 126 119.5 (DE), filed on Oct. 6, 2020.
Prior Publication US 2023/0383791 A1, Nov. 30, 2023
Int. Cl. F16C 33/78 (2006.01); B60B 27/00 (2006.01); F16C 33/80 (2006.01)

CPC F16C 33/7823 (2013.01) [B60B 27/0073 (2013.01); F16C 33/7883 (2013.01); F16C 33/805 (2013.01); F16C 2326/02 (2013.01)]

18 Claims

1. A sealing arrangement for a wheel bearing, comprising:

a carrier element which can be connected to a first bearing part of the wheel bearing;

a resilient sealing element which comprises a resilient main body that is arranged on the carrier element, wherein the resilient sealing element also comprises at least a first axial sealing lip and a second axial sealing lip and at least one radial sealing lip that extend away from the resilient main body; and

a counterflow plate which can be connected to a second bearing part and is arranged with one side facing the carrier element such that the first axial sealing lip, the second axial sealing lip and the radial sealing lip are in sliding contact with the counterflow plate, wherein:

the first axial sealing lip is designed in such a way that it rests against the counterflow plate with a first contact force (F₁);

the second axial sealing lip is designed such that it rests against the counterflow plate with a second contact force (F₂);

the radial sealing lip is designed such that it rests against the counterflow plate with a third contact force (F₃); and

the first and second contact forces (F₁, F₂) are defined as a function of a predefined force ratio defined by the following equation:

the first contact force (F₁)=the second contact pressure (F₂)±0.9 N.

10. A sealing arrangement for a wheel bearing, comprising:

a carrier element connectable to a first bearing part of the wheel bearing;

a resilient sealing element comprising:

a resilient main body arranged on the carrier element;

a first axial sealing lip extending away from the resilient main body;

a second axial sealing lip extending away from the resilient main body; and

a radial sealing lip extending away from the resilient main body, and

a counterflow plate connectable to a second bearing part of the wheel bearing, the counterflow plate being arranged with one side facing the carrier element such that the first axial sealing lip, the second axial sealing lip and the radial sealing lip are in sliding contact with the counterflow plate, wherein:

the first axial sealing lip rests against the counterflow plate with a first contact force;

the second axial sealing lip rests against the counterflow plate with a second contact force;

the first contact force is equal to the second contact force ±0.9 N;

the radial sealing lip rests against the counterflow plate with a third contact force; and

the third contact force is half of the first contact force ±0.9 N.