FIELD

The present disclosure relates to the field of bearings.

DEFINITION

As used in the present disclosure, the following terms are generally intended to have the meaning as set forth below, except to the extent that the context in which they are used indicate otherwise.

Crevices - The term “crevices” refers to gaps formed between mating parts of bearing assembly components.

BACKGROUND

The background information herein below relates to the present disclosure but is not necessarily prior art.

Conventionally, seals used in a bearing assembly are constructed to prevent ingress of debris between mating surfaces of the raceways and the ball of the bearing assembly. Crevices are formed in a region adjacent to the mating surfaces of the raceways and the ball. However, during the operation of the bearing assembly, contamination due to environmental changes takes place, which results in the debris getting transported from the crevices into the mating surfaces of the raceways and the ball. Additionally, with prolonged operation of the bearing assembly, wear and tear of other mating parts of the bearing assembly results in increased transport of debris between the mating surface of the raceways and the ball. Thus, working life of the bearing assembly gets reduced. Performance of the bearing assembly is deteriorated which is undesired. The conventional seals are ineffective in preventing ingress of debris from the crevices into the mating surfaces of the raceways and the ball.

There is therefore, felt a need, for a bearing assembly having an arrangement for preventing ingress of debris therein, which alleviates the aforementioned drawbacks. OBJECTS

Some of the objects of the system of the present disclosure which at least one embodiment herein satisfies are as follows:

Another object of the present disclosure is to provide a bearing assembly having an arrangement for preventing ingress of debris therein that prevents damage to the bearing assembly.

Still another object of the present disclosure is to provide a bearing assembly having an arrangement for preventing ingress of debris therein that offers an effective sealing solution against ingress of debris.

Yet another object of the present disclosure is to provide a bearing assembly having an arrangement for preventing ingress of debris therein that increases working life of the bearing assembly.

Other objects and advantages of the system of the present disclosure will be more apparent from the following description when read in conjunction with the accompanying figures, which are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure discloses a bearing assembly having an arrangement for preventing ingress of debris therein, the bearing assembly having an inner raceway, an outer raceway, a hub, and at least one crevice defined between the raceways, and the hub. The arrangement comprises a first passage defined between the inner raceway and the hub. A second passage defined between the hub and the raceways. A seal traverses the first passage and the second passage thereby preventing entry of debris into at least one of the crevices formed between the raceways and the hub.

In a preferred embodiment, the seal is an L-shaped seal.

In an embodiment, the first passage extends in an operative axial direction A in relation to the hub.

In an embodiment, the second passage extends in an operative radial direction R in relation to the hub. In a preferred embodiment, the first passage has a first end which is an open end, and a second end which opens into the second passage.

In a preferred embodiment, the second passage has a third end which opens into the second end of the first passage, and a fourth end which is connected to the crevice.

In a preferred embodiment, the first passage and the second passage jointly define an “L”.

In another embodiment, the first passage is narrower towards the first end and wider towards the second end.

In another embodiment, the second passage is narrower towards the third end and wider towards the fourth end.

In another embodiment, a lip is configured on a first end of the seal to provide increased protection against entry of debris.

In a preferred embodiment, an angular face is configured on the lip to divert debris entering from the first end of the first passage.

In a preferred embodiment, at least one protruding portion, is configured on the lip to maintain point contact with an inner raceway surface.

In a preferred embodiment, bends are configured on the seal to provide increased stiffness to the seal.

In a preferred embodiment, the seal is configured to be in contact with the inner raceway along the extent of the first passage.

In a preferred embodiment, the seal is configured to be in contact with the hub, the outer raceway and the inner raceway along the extent of the second passage.

In another embodiment, the cross sectional area of the first passage varies along its length.

In a preferred embodiment, the cross sectional area of the second passage varies along its length.

In a preferred embodiment, the seal is detachably attached to the hub, the outer raceway and the inner raceway.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF ACCOMPANYING DRAWING A bearing assembly having an arrangement for preventing ingress of debris therein, of the present disclosure, will now be described with the help of the accompanying drawing, in which:

Figure 1 shows a sectional view of the bearing assembly having an arrangement for preventing ingress of debris therein, in accordance with an embodiment of the prior art;

Figure 2 shows a sectional view of the bearing assembly having an arrangement for preventing ingress of debris therein, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

Figure 3 shows another sectional view of the bearing assembly having an arrangement for preventing ingress of debris therein, of the Figure 2;

Figure 4 shows a detail of the Figure 2;

Figure 5 shows another detail of the Figure 2;

Figure 6 shows a detail of the Figure 5;

Figure 7 shows another detail of the Figure 5;

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

10 - hub

12 - hub surface

20 - inner raceway

22 - inner raceway surface

24, 26 - protruding portion

30 - first passage

30a - first end of first passage

30b - second end of first passage

32 - second passage

32a - third end of second passage

32b - fourth end of second passage 34 - crevice

40 - botom seal

50 - outer raceway

60 - top seal

70 - ball

80 - cage

90 - seal

92 - lip

94 - angular face

100’ - bearing assembly of the prior art

100 - arrangement of the present disclosure

A - operative axial direction

R - operative radial direction

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments, of the present disclosure, will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawing.

Embodiments are provided so as to thoroughly and fully convey the scope of the present disclosure to the person skilled in the art. Numerous details are set forth, relating to specific components, and methods, to provide a complete understanding of embodiments of the present disclosure. It will be apparent to the person skilled in the art that the details provided in the embodiments should not be construed to limit the scope of the present disclosure. In some embodiments, well-known processes, well-known apparatus structures, and well-known techniques are not described in detail.

The terminology used, in the present disclosure, is only for the purpose of explaining a particular embodiment and such terminology shall not be considered to limit the scope of the present disclosure. As used in the present disclosure, the forms "a,” "an," and "the" may be intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly suggests otherwise. The terms "comprises," "comprising," “including,” and “having,” are open ended transitional phrases and therefore specify the presence of stated features, elements, modules, units and/or components, but do not forbid the presence or addition of one or more other features, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.

When an element is referred to as being "mounted on," “engaged to,” "connected to," or "coupled to" another element, it may be directly on, engaged, connected or coupled to the other element. As used herein, the term "and/or" includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed elements.

Terms such as “inner,” “outer,” "beneath," "below," "lower," "above," "upper," and the like, may be used in the present disclosure to describe relationships between different elements as depicted from the figures.

Figure 1 illustrates a conventional bearing assembly 100’. The conventional bearing assembly 100’ includes an inner raceway 20, an outer raceway 50, a hub 10, seals 40, 60 and at least one crevice 34 defined between the raceways 20, 50 and the hub 10. An operative axial direction A is defined along the longitudinal direction of the hub 10. An operative radial direction R is defined along the radial direction of the hub 10. A first raceway of the raceways 20, 50 is an inner raceway 20. A second raceway of the raceways 20, 50 is an outer raceway 50. One of the crevices 34 is defined between the raceways 20, 50 and the hub 10 as shown in the figure 1. During operation of the conventional bearing assembly 100’, debris gets accumulated into the at least one crevice 34. Subsequently, the debris gets transported between the mating surfaces of the ball 70 and raceways 20, 50. This accelerates the wear and tear of the surfaces of the ball 70 and raceways 20, 50. Moreover, the operation of the conventional bearing assembly 100’ becomes noisy and rough.

The present disclosure envisages a bearing assembly having an arrangement 100 for preventing ingress of debris therein (hereinafter referred as the bearing assembly) that eliminates noisy and rough operation of the bearing assembly. Additionally, the bearing assembly offers an increased working life.

Referring to the figures 1-7, the bearing assembly having an arrangement 100 for preventing ingress of debris therein is shown, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The arrangement 100 comprises a first passage 30 defined between the inner raceway 20 and the hub 10, a second passage 32 defined between the hub 10 and the raceways 20, 50 and a seal 90 traversing the first passage 30 and the second passage 32. The first passage 30 extends in the operative axial direction A. The second passage 32 extends in the operative radial direction R. The first passage 30 has a first end 30a which is an open end. A second end 30b of the first passage 30 opens into a third end 32a of the second passage 32. A fourth end 32b of the second passage 32 is connected to the at least one crevice 34. A lip 92 is configured on a first end of the seal 90 to provide increased protection against entry of debris. The angular face 94 is configured on the lip 92 to divert debris entering from the first end 30a of the first passage 30. The seal 90 is configured to be in contact with the inner raceway 20 along the extent of the first passage 30. The seal 90 is configured to be in contact with the hub 10, the outer raceway 20 and the inner raceway 30 along the extent of the second passage 32. At least one protruding portion 24, 26 is configured on the lip 92. The protruding portions 24, 26 are in contact with an inner raceway surface 22, as shown in the figure 4. The profile of the protruding portions 24, 26 is configured to minimize the contact area of the lip 92 with the inner raceway 20. Particularly, the protrusions 24, 26 maintain a point contact with the inner raceway surface 22.

In an embodiment, the lip 92 is made of rubber.

In another embodiment, bends are configured on the seal 90 to provide increased stiffness to the seal 90.

In another embodiment, the first passage 30 is narrower towards the first end 30a of the first passage 30 and wider towards the second end 30b of the first passage 30.

In another embodiment, the second passage 32 is narrower towards the third end 32a and wider towards the fourth end 32b.

In an embodiment, the first passage 30 and said second passage 32 jointly define an “L”.

In an embodiment, the seal 90 is an L-shaped seal.

In another embodiment, the cross sectional area of the first passage 30 varies along its length.

In another embodiment, the cross sectional area of the second passage 32 varies along its length.

In another embodiment, the seal 90 is detachably attached to the hub 10, the outer raceway 20 and the inner raceway 30. In another embodiment, the protrusions are configured to be in contact with a hub surface 12 to provide increased protection against ingress of debris.

The arrangement 100 prevents entry of debris into at least one of the crevices 34 formed between the raceways 20, 50 and the hub 10. Further transport of the debris is prevented from at least one of the crevices 34 to the ball and the raceways 20, 50. Thus the working life of the bearing assembly is increased.

The foregoing description of the embodiments has been provided for purposes of illustration and not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. Individual components of a particular embodiment are generally not limited to that particular embodiment, but, are interchangeable. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the present disclosure, and all such modifications are considered to be within the scope of the present disclosure.

TECHNICAL ADVANCEMENTS

The present disclosure described herein above has several technical advantages including, but not limited to, the realization of a bearing assembly having an arrangement for preventing ingress of debris there within, which:

• offers increased working life of the bearing assembly;

• increases damage protection of the bearing assembly; and

• provides an effective sealing solution against ingress of debris.

The embodiments herein, the various features, and advantageous details thereof are explained with reference to the non-limiting embodiments in the following description. Descriptions of well-known components and processing techniques are omitted to not unnecessarily obscure the embodiments herein. The examples used herein are intended merely to facilitate an understanding of ways in which the embodiments herein may be practiced and to further enable those of skill in the art to practice the embodiments herein. Accordingly, the examples should not be construed as limiting the scope of the embodiments herein.

The foregoing description of the specific embodiments so fully reveal the general nature of the embodiments herein that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily modify and/or adapt for various applications such specific embodiments without departing from the generic concept, and, therefore, such adaptations and modifications should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. Therefore, while the embodiments herein have been described in terms of preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the embodiments herein can be practiced with modification within the spirit and scope of the embodiments as described herein.

The use of the expression “at least” or “at least one” suggests the use of one or more elements or ingredients or quantities, as the use may be in the embodiment of the disclosure to achieve one or more of the desired objects or results.

Any discussion of documents, acts, materials, devices, articles or the like that has been included in this specification is solely for the purpose of providing a context for the disclosure. It is not to be taken as an admission that any or all of these matters form a part of the prior art base or were common general knowledge in the field relevant to the disclosure, as it existed anywhere before the priority date of this application.

While considerable emphasis has been placed herein on the components and component parts of the preferred embodiments, it will be appreciated that many embodiments can be made and that many changes can be made in the preferred embodiments without departing from the principles of the disclosure. These and other changes in the preferred embodiment as well as other embodiments of the disclosure will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the disclosure herein, whereby it is to be distinctly understood that the foregoing descriptive matter is to be interpreted merely as illustrative of the disclosure and not as a limitation.