Abstract:
A bearing ( 91 ), more particularly a radial anti-friction bearing, including a bearing ring ( 61 ) with a lateral surface ( 63 ) formed by at least one undercut ( 65 ), and at least one sealing element ( 93 ) having an elastomer portion ( 103 ) and an elastic retaining lip ( 99 ), wherein the elastomer portion of the sealing element is received in the undercut at least in some portions, wherein the lateral surface of the undercut has a contour ( 67 ) with a contact portion ( 69 ) for axially securing the elastic retaining lip, as well as an axial contact surface ( 71 ), on which an axial contact surface ( 101 ) of the elastomer portion of the sealing element lies flat, is provided.

Description:
The present invention relates to a bearing, in particular a radial rolling bearing, which includes a bearing ring having a lateral surface which is formed by at least one recess, as well as at least one sealing element which includes an elastomer section and an elastic retaining lip, the elastomer section of the sealing element being accommodated in the recess at least in sections. 
     BACKGROUND 
     A rolling bearing is used to support components which are movable with respect to each other. It generally includes two bearing rings which have integrated raceways. Rolling elements which roll on the raceways are situated between the bearing rings. To protect a rolling bearing, or the bearing interior between the bearing rings, against contaminants, spray water and an excessive loss of lubricating grease, at least one sealing element is usually inserted between the bearing rings of the rolling bearing. 
     To accommodate and fasten a sealing element, the bearing ring conventionally has a correspondingly designed lateral surface, with which the sealing element makes contact in the inserted state. In addition, an axial securing of the sealing element on the lateral surface of the bearing ring is necessary. After the sealing element is inserted, strict requirements are imposed, in particular on the dimensional accuracy and the dimensional stability of the bearing hole and the outer diameter of the bearing ring. A positioning of the sealing element on a bearing ring, which is largely free of shape and size tolerances in both the axial and radial directions, is desirable. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     A first object of the present invention is to provide a bearing which is able to compensate for axial and radial tolerances of the bearing components used to seal a bearing. 
     The present invention provides bearings, in particular a radial rolling bearing, which includes a bearing ring having a lateral surface which is formed by a recess as well as a sealing element which includes an elastomer section and an elastic retaining lip, the elastomer section of the sealing element being accommodated in the recess at least in sections, and the lateral surface of the recess having a contour which includes a contact section for axially securing the elastic retaining lip. The contour of the recess furthermore includes an axial contact surface, on which an axial contact surface of the elastomer section of the sealing element planarly abuts. 
     The present invention is directed to the fact that axial displacements of a sealing element may be induced by radial displacements of the sealing element relative to the bearing ring. Up to now, a tilting of the sealing element has not been able to be ruled out when mounting the seal. 
     Moreover, to ensure the sealing function of a sealing element in a bearing ring, the decoupling of the corresponding shape and size tolerances is desired. However, this is not currently implementable using the conventional components for sealing a bearing. 
     Taking into account this aforementioned problem, the present invention recognizes that the requirement for a tolerance-independent positioning of a sealing element on a bearing ring may be met if the lateral surface of the recess has a contour which includes a contact section for axially securing the elastic retaining lip as well as an axial contact surface on which an axial contact surface of the elastomer section of the sealing element planarly abuts. The contact section prevents the sealing element from retracting against the direction of installation as well as an axial shifting or a tilting of the sealing element, whereby an axially secured positioning of a sealing element inserted into a bearing ring is facilitated without being influenced by possible axial and/or radial tolerances of the bearing components. 
     In the installed state of the sealing element in the recess of the bearing ring, the elastic retaining lip makes pretensioned contact with the contact section of the bearing ring. The largely tolerance-free retention of the sealing element in the recess of the bearing ring is facilitated by the combination of the pretensioned retaining lip and the planar contact of the elastomer section of the sealing element with the axial contact surface of the contour formed by the recess. In addition, the sealing element is situated on the lateral surface of the bearing ring in a form-locked and retraction-proof manner. 
     The radial guidance of the sealing element thus essentially takes place with the aid of the elastic part of the retaining lip. Due to the elastic design of the retaining lip, the latter may adapt, in particular, to the bearing ring or to the contour in the lateral surface of the recess. In this way, the positioning of the sealing element on a bearing ring may take place independently of the radial and axial size and form tolerances of the particular sealing components, and the overall tolerances of the sealing element and the bearing ring are decoupled from each other. Due to this tolerance-insensitive combination, predetermined shape tolerances, for example roundness or straightness, as well as the existing size tolerances on the bearing ring, are not or are only insignificantly influenced both during and after the mounting of the sealing element in the recess of the bearing ring. 
     In other words, an axially nondetachable, form-locked positioning, secured against tolerances, of a sealing element on a bearing ring is facilitated. 
     The recess for positioning the sealing element is introduced into the bearing ring, in particular as a recess, a recess turning process, for example, being used as the machining method for the purpose of manufacturing. The introduction of the recess is easy to carry out, in particular due to the shape of the recess. 
     The axial contact surface of the contour is not inclined and thus facilitates the planar contact of the inserted sealing element. During a radial displacement of the sealing element, an axial shifting or a tilting of the sealing element may thus be prevented and its secure positioning ensured. 
     In the present case, the sealing element includes, in addition to the elastomer section and the elastic retaining lip, in particular a sealing member having a reinforcing element and an elastomer component. The sealing element of the rolling bearing is inserted, in particular, between the inner bearing ring and the outer bearing ring, the fastening of the sealing element on one of the two bearing rings taking place with the aid of an essentially static [sic; sealing part]. The section of the sealing element on which the essentially static sealing part of the sealing element is provided may be introduced both into the lateral surface of an inner bearing ring and into the lateral surface of an outer bearing ring. The dynamic section of the sealing element may seal the bearing interior against the other of the two sealing rings, for example by forming a gap seal and/or a rubbing seal. 
     In one advantageous embodiment of the present invention, the contact section of the contour includes a shoulder which overlaps the elastic retaining lip of the sealing element for the axial securing thereof. The retaining lip, or, in particular, its radially elastic end section, is overlapped by the shoulder in the axial direction, where it is axially supported. The sealing element may thus engage with the recess during mounting when the retaining lip has passed the shoulder. 
     In this way, an axially form-locked connection is established between the sealing element and the bearing ring, which prevents the sealing element from retracting against the direction of installation, on the one hand, while simultaneously preventing it from tilting. For this purpose, the shoulder may be provided, for example, with an axial contact surface, on which the retaining lip planarly abuts in the installed state. In other words, the shoulder is used as a means for preventing the sealing element from retracting against the direction of installation. 
     Due to the combination of the shoulder and the axial contact surface of the contour of the recess, a secure positioning of the sealing element between the bearing rings of a rolling bearing may thus be easily ensured. The sealing element is furthermore accommodated by the elastic retaining lip in a manner that is insensitive to size and shape tolerances of the components. 
     In another advantageous embodiment of the present invention, the recess is provided with a radial clearance. The radial clearance prevents a massive contact between the elastomer section of the sealing element and the contour of the recess. In this way, a gap is maintained between the elastomer section and the contour, which acts as a so-called spring excursion reserve and compensates for tolerances, for example roundness errors, of both the recess and the sealing element. 
     The contact section advantageously merges directly with the radial clearance. The contact section in this case is essentially inclined. The design facilitates easy manufacturing of the recess or its contour by reducing dimensional complexity. 
     In another advantageous embodiment of the invention, a radial shoulder is additionally provided between the shoulder of the contact section and the radial clearance. The radial shoulder is preferably introduced into the contour in the form of a step and facilitates a design of the radial clearance having the required radial depth, which is at least 0.01 mm. 
     On the whole, the positioning of the sealing element on a bearing ring independently of the radial and axial size and shape tolerances of the particular components used to seal a bearing interior may take place with the aid of all aforementioned embodiments of the transition between the contact section and the radial clearance. In all embodiments, a massive contact between the elastomer section of the sealing element and the contour of the recess is furthermore prevented. 
     In another advantageous embodiment of the present invention, the axial contact surface of the recess merges with a raceway section. The raceway section may be used, for example, as a raceway for a rolling element inserted into a rolling bearing. In particular, the raceway section may be used to guide a rolling element cage. 
     In one particularly advantageous embodiment of the present invention, a circumferential, axial collar is provided in the transitional area between the axial contact surface of the recess and the raceway section. A rim formed on the bearing ring is elongated in the axial direction by the circumferential collar. Due to this elongation of the rim, a correspondingly enlarged rim surface is provided. 
     The rim surface is used, in particular, to guide a rolling bearing cage. A cage guidance with the aid of a rim surface of this type is used, in particular, in fast-running rolling bearings, which must withstand high accelerations and rotational speeds. For this purpose, a rolling bearing cage rests with its surface against the rim surface of the bearing ring in the installed state in a rolling bearing. A secure guidance of a rolling bearing cage may thus be achieved by a rim surface provided by the circumferential, axial collar, making optimum use of the available installation space. The axially circumferential collar is preferably provided on the lateral surface of the bearing ring by a recess formed therein. 
     The sealing element advantageously has a sealing member which includes a reinforcement. The reinforcement is inserted into the sealing member. The sealing member preferably essentially has an annular design. The reinforcement may also be manufactured as a ring, for example from a steel sheet, and ensures the necessary stability of the sealing element for a rolling bearing during operation. The elastomer sealing component of the sealing element may be, for example, a rubber which is injection-molded around the reinforcement. 
     To ensure the sealing function due to the secure positioning of a sealing element in a bearing ring and for the purpose of the desired decoupling of the corresponding shape and dimension tolerances, the dimensions of the sealing element and the bearing ring or the contour of the recess of the bearing ring are advantageously coordinated with respect to each other. The advantageous embodiments discussed below thus facilitate the provision of a bearing which permits an axially nondetachable, form-locked positioning of the sealing element on a bearing ring, which is tolerant against manufacturing-induced deviations. 
     The reinforcement preferably includes an essentially annular base body of material thickness s as well as a reinforcing section oriented inwardly against the axial contact surface of the recess, radius of curvature R being in a range between 0.2 mm and 2·s at the transition between the base body and the reinforcing section. Radius of curvature R may thus be selected as a function of the material thickness of the reinforcement or the base body of the reinforcement. 
     Thickness y of the elastic retaining lip may be selected, in particular, as a function of the material thickness of the reinforcement. Thickness y of the elastic retaining lip is preferably in a range between 0.15 mm and 1.2·s. 
     Radial thickness d of the elastomer section of the sealing element is advantageously in a range between 1.5·s and 4.5·s. Radial thickness d may thus also be selected, in particular, as a function of the material thickness of the base body of the reinforcement. 
     Axial thickness t of the transitional area in which the sealing body of the sealing element merges with the elastic retaining lip is, in particular, dependent on the radial thickness of the elastomer section of the sealing element. Axial thickness t in the transitional area is preferably in a range between 0.5·d and 1·d. 
     In one advantageous embodiment, recess width Et of the recess is in a range between 0.8·t and 1.2·t. Recess width Et may thus be selected, in particular, as a function of axial thickness t of the transitional area between the sealing member and the sealing element. 
     The bearing ring preferably has outer diameter D, radial distance a between the elastomer section of the sealing element and the base of the radial clearance being in a range between 0.03 mm and 0.004·D. 
     In another preferred embodiment, the shoulder of the contact section of the contour is set back radially at a distance X, distance X being in a range between 0.5·y and 1.5·y. Distance X may thus be selected, in particular, as a function of thickness y of the elastic retaining lip of the sealing element. 
     In the relaxed state, the retaining lip extends by a distance C radially beyond the shoulder of the contact section and/or beyond a control point, distance C being in a range between 0.02 mm and 2·y. 
     The elastomer section of the sealing element is advantageously set back in the recess by a radial distance b, radial distance b being in a range between 0.03 mm and 1.25·y. 
     The rolling bearing is preferably designed as a spindle bearing, in particular for use in machine tools. Spindle bearings are single-row angular ball bearings which include solid outer and inner bearing rings, between which ball races having massive rolling element cages are inserted. A spindle bearing is used specifically in machine tool manufacturing but also in other applications in which the strictest requirements with respect to accuracy or permissible rotational speed are imposed on the bearing. Spindle bearings for supporting the spindles of machine tools have proven themselves to be excellent, i.e., spindles of shafts having an integrated interface for accommodating a workpiece or a tool. 
     The recess may, in principle, be introduced either into the outer bearing ring or into the inner bearing ring. The recess is advantageously introduced into the outer bearing ring. The outer bearing ring is thus used for the axially nondetachable, form-locked positioning of a sealing element, which is tolerant against manufacturing-induced deviations in shape and size. 
     The recess is also advantageously introduced into the inner bearing ring, the positioning of the sealing element on the inner bearing ring taking place independently of the radial and axial size and shape tolerances of the particular sealing components. It should be taken into account that, in a recess provided in the inner bearing ring, the inner diameter of the inner bearing ring must be considered during dimensioning. In a recess introduced into the inner bearing ring, the inner bearing ring has inner diameter d, radial distance a between the elastomer section of the sealing element and the base of the radial clearance preferably being in a range between 0.03 mm and 0.004·d. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The present invention is explained below on the basis of a drawing. 
         FIG. 1  shows a cross-sectional view of a detail of the lateral surface of a bearing ring; 
         FIG. 2  shows a cross-sectional view of a detail of the lateral surface of another bearing ring; 
         FIG. 3  shows a cross-sectional view of a detail of the lateral surface of another bearing ring; 
         FIG. 4  shows a cross-sectional view of a detail of the bearing ring according to  FIG. 3 , including a theoretically inserted sealing element; 
         FIG. 5  shows a cross-sectional view of a detail of the bearing ring according to  FIGS. 3 and 4 , including the inserted sealing element according to  FIG. 4 ; and 
         FIG. 6  shows a cross-sectional view of a detail of another bearing, including a sealing element inserted into a bearing ring. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       FIG. 1  shows a cross-sectional view of a detail of a bearing ring  1  for accommodating a sealing element. Bearing ring  1  includes a lateral surface  3 , which is formed by a recess  5 . In the mounted state, a sealing element, or, in particular the elastomer section of a sealing element, may be positioned in this recess  5 , at least in sections, and come into contact with lateral surface  3 . In the present case, recess  5  is introduced into bearing ring  1  as a recess, with the aid of a recess turning process. 
     To position a sealing element, lateral surface  3  of recess  5  is provided with a corresponding contour  7  for this purpose. Contour  7  includes a contact section  9  for axially securing an inserted sealing element, a control point  10  on contact section  9  as well as an axial contact surface  11 , which prevents the sealing element from tilting. 
     In the relaxed state, the retaining lip of a theoretically inserted sealing element extends radially beyond control point  10  of contact section  9  by a distance C. 
     Contact section  9  of contour  7  is inclined in the radial direction, against the direction of installation, and merges directly with a radial clearance  13 . Due to the incline of contact section  9 , it is ensured that an inserted sealing element may be positioned axially on contact section  9  or on lateral surface  3  of recess  5  in a form-locked manner. Radial clearance  13 , in turn, prevents a massive contact between the sealing element and contour  7  of recess  5 . In this way, a gap is maintained between the sealing element or the elastomer section of the sealing element and contour  7 , which compensates for tolerances, for example roundness errors, of both recess  5  and the sealing element. 
     Axial contact surface  11 , on the other hand, enables a sealing element to planarly abut with its axial contact surface in the installed state thereof, so that a tilting of the sealing element is prevented. A retraction of the sealing element against the direction of installation is also not possible due to the geometry of contour  7  of recess  5 . 
     On the whole, an axially nondetachable positioning of a sealing element on lateral surface  3  of bearing ring  1  is achieved by the combination of contact section  9  and axial contact surface  11 . 
     Bearing ring  1  is also provided with a raceway section  15 . A circumferential, axial collar  19  is formed in transitional area  17  between axial contact surface [sic; section]  9  and raceway section  15 . Collar  19  results in an elongation of rim surface  21 , which extends away from bearing ring  1  in the axial direction. A secure guidance of a rolling bearing cage may thus be achieved by the elongation of rim surface  21 , making optimum use of the available installation space. 
       FIG. 2  shows a cross-sectional view of a detail of another bearing ring  31  for accommodating a sealing element. Bearing ring  31  includes a lateral surface  33 , which is introduced into recess  35 , with the aid of a recess turning process. In the installed state, a sealing element which includes an elastomer section may be positioned in this recess  35 , at least in sections, and come into contact with lateral surface  33 . 
     Like lateral surface  3  according to  FIG. 1 , lateral surface  33  of recess  35  is provided with a corresponding contour  37 , which includes a contact section  39  for axially securing an inserted sealing element, a control point  40  on contact section  39  as well as an axial contact surface  41 . Axial contact surface  41  facilitates the planar contact of a sealing element accommodated in recess  35  with its axial contact surface, so that a tilting of the sealing element is prevented. 
     Once again, in the relaxed state, the retaining lip of a theoretically inserted sealing element extends radially beyond control point  40  of contact section  39  by a distance C. 
     Contact section  39  of recess  35  is inclined in the radial direction, whereby it is ensured that an inserted sealing element is held within recess  35 , retraction-proof against the direction of installation. Contact section  39  merges with a radial clearance  43 , the transition taking place via a radial contact surface  45 , in contrast to  FIG. 1 . Radial clearance  43  facilitates a sufficiently great distance between an inserted sealing element and contour  37  of recess  35  of bearing ring  31 , so that a hard contact between the sealing element and contour  37  is prevented. 
     Bearing ring  31  is provided with a raceway section  47 . Circumferential, axial collar  51 , which is provided in transitional area  49  between axial contact surface  43  and raceway section  47 , again results in an elongation of rim surface  53 , which extends away from bearing ring  31  in the axial direction. Collar  51  facilitates a particularly secure guidance of a rolling bearing cage, making optimum use of the available installation space. 
       FIG. 3  shows a cross-sectional view of a detail of another bearing ring  61 . Bearing ring  61  includes a lateral surface  63 , which is formed by a recess  65 . In the mounted state, a sealing element may be positioned in this recess  65 . The sealing element, or its elastomer section, then comes into contact with lateral surface  63 , at least in sections. Recess  65  is introduced into bearing ring  61  as a recess, with the aid of a recess turning process. 
     Lateral surface  63  is provided with a corresponding contour  67 , which includes both a contact section  69  and an axial contact surface  71  for a sealing element. Axial contact surface  71  facilitates the planar contact of an inserted sealing element and prevents the tilting thereof. 
     Contact section  69  is provided with a shoulder  73  for axially securing an inserted sealing element, in contrast to bearing rings  1 ,  31  according to  FIGS. 1 and 2 . Shoulder  73  may overlap an inserted sealing element or a part of the sealing element and is thus used to prevent a retraction against the direction of installation. The sealing element may thus engage with recess  65  during mounting when the sealing element, or an elastic retaining lip of the sealing element, has passed shoulder  73 . In this way, an axially form-locked connection is established between the sealing element and bearing ring  61 . 
     In addition, contour  67  of recess  65  is provided with a radial shoulder  75 , which is introduced into contour  67  in the form of a step. A radial clearance  77  is provided by this shoulder  75 . Clearance  77  prevents the contact between an inserted sealing element and lateral surface  63  of bearing ring  61 . The radial depth of clearance  77  is 0.1 mm in the present case. 
     The bearing ring furthermore includes a raceway section  79 . A circumferential, axial collar  83  is provided in transitional area  81  of bearing ring  61  between axial contact surface  71  and raceway section  79 . Collar  83  results in an elongation of rim surface  85 , which extends away from bearing ring  61  in the axial direction. A secure guidance of a rolling bearing cage may thus be achieved even in a small installation space. 
       FIG. 4  shows a cross-sectional view of a detail of a bearing  91  designed as a spindle bearing, including bearing ring  61  according to  FIG. 3  and a theoretically inserted sealing element  93 . With regard to the description of bearing ring  61 , reference is made at this point to the detailed description according to  FIGS. 3 and 4 . 
     Sealing element  93  inserted into bearing ring  61  includes a sealing member  94  which has an elastomer component  95  and a reinforcement  97 . Elastomer component  95  is injection-molded around reinforcement  97 . The sealing element, or elastomer component  95  of sealing element  93 , has a radially elastic retaining lip  99  for the axial securing thereof as well as an axial contact surface  101  on its elastomer section  103 . 
     In the fixedly inserted state of sealing element  93  into bearing ring  61 , radially elastic retaining lip  99  may come into pretensioned contact with shoulder  73  of contact section  69 . Axial contact surface  101  of sealing element  93  then abuts planarly on axial contact surface  71  of lateral surface  63  of bearing ring  61 . In this way, sealing element  93  may be axially positioned in a form-locked manner in recess  65  of bearing ring  61 . Moreover, undesirable changes to the size and shape tolerances are not to be feared either in sealing element  93  or on recess  65  or on contour  67  of bearing ring  61 . 
       FIG. 5  shows the fixed installation of sealing element  93  in bearing ring  61 . Axial contact surface  101  of sealing element  93  then abuts planarly on axial contact surface  71  of lateral surface  63  of bearing ring  61 . Radially elastic retaining lip  99 , in turn, is in pretensioned contact with shoulder  73  of contact section  69 , so that the radial guidance of sealing element  93  takes place via the radially elastic part of retaining lip  99 . Shoulder  73  overlaps retaining lip  99  and may thus prevent a shifting of sealing element  93  against the direction of installation. 
     Radial clearance  77  formed by shoulder  75  prevents a widening of bearing ring  61  due to the avoidance of a massive contact between elastomer section  103  of sealing element  93  and lateral surface  63  or contour  67  of bearing ring  61 . 
     On the whole, bearing  91  may thus ensure the axial securing of sealing element  93  on bearing ring  61  independently of the radial and axial manufacturing tolerances of the particular sealing components. 
     Sealing element  93  additionally has a sealing lip  105 , which, in the installed state, is in rubbing contact with the outer circumference of the second bearing ring of rolling bearing  91  or has a gap to the outer circumference of the second bearing ring, for the purpose of sealing the bearing interior. The second bearing ring is not shown in the present case. 
       FIG. 6  shows bearing  91  according to  FIGS. 4 and 5 , including sealing element  93 , which is theoretically inserted into bearing ring  61 . In the present case, axially circumferential collar  83  is clearly apparent, which is situated in transitional area  81  between axial contact surface  71  of contour  67  of bearing ring  61  and raceway section  79  and is used to elongate rim surface  85 . Rim surface  85  facilitates a particularly secure guidance of rolling bearing cage  107  and rolling elements  109  guided therein, making optimum use of the available installation space. 
     For the further description of bearing  91 , reference is made at this point to the detailed description in  FIGS. 3 through 5 . 
     In  FIG. 6 , reference is made to the dimensioning parameters of sealing element  93  and bearing ring  61 , or contour  67  of recess  65  of bearing ring  61 . To ensure the retaining function by positioning sealing element  93  on bearing ring  61 , and for the purpose of the desired decoupling of corresponding shape and size tolerances, the dimensions of sealing element  93  and bearing ring  61  are advantageously coordinated with respect to each other. 
     Reinforcement  97  of sealing element  93  includes an essentially annular base body  111  of material thickness s as well as a reinforcing section  113  oriented inwardly against axial contact surface  71  of recess  65 . Radius of curvature R at transition  115  between base body  111  and reinforcing section  113  may be in a range between 0.2 mm and 2·s. In the present case, radius of curvature R has a value of 0.5 mm. 
     Thickness y of elastic retaining lip  99  of sealing element  93  may assume values between 0.15 mm and 1.2·s and has a value of 0.3 mm according to  FIG. 6 . Radial thickness d of elastomer section  103  of sealing element  93 , which may be, in particular, in a range between 1.5·s and 4.5·s, has a value of 2.5·s in the present case. 
     Sealing member  94  of sealing element  93  merges with elastic retaining lip  99  in a transitional area  117 . In this transitional area  117 , axial thickness t may be in a preferred range between 0.5·d and 1·d. In the present case, axial thickness t has a value of 0.7·d. 
     Recess width Et of recess  65  may assume values which are in a range between 0.8·t and 1.2·t. In the present case, recess width Et, which has a value of 1·t, corresponds to thickness t in transitional area  117 , in which sealing member  94  merges with retaining lip  99 . 
     Radial distance a between elastomer section  103  of sealing element  93  and the base of radial clearance  77 , i.e., the radially lowest point, is dependent on outer diameter D of bearing ring  61 . Radial distance a may advantageously be in a range between 0.03 mm and 0.004·D, it having a value of 0.13 mm in the present case. 
     Shoulder  73  of contact section  69  of contour  67  is set back radially in recess  65  by a distance X, distance X being able to be, in particular, in a range between 0.5·y and 1.5·y. According to  FIG. 6 , distance X has a value of 1·y. In the present case, distance X thus has the value of thickness y of elastic retaining lip  99 . 
     In the relaxed state, retaining lip  99  extends radially beyond shoulder  73  of contact section  69  by a distance C. Distance C is advantageously in a range between 0.02 mm and 2·y and, in the present case, has a value of 0.7·y. 
     Elastomer section  103  of sealing element  93  is set back in recess  65  by a radial distance b, radial distance b preferably being in a range between 0.03 mm and 1.25·y. According to the present embodiment, distance b has a value of 0.6·y. 
     LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS 
     
         
           1  bearing ring 
           3  lateral surface 
           5  recess 
           7  contour 
           9  contact section 
           10  control point 
           11  axial contact surface 
           13  clearance 
           15  raceway section 
           17  transitional area 
           19  collar 
           21  rim surface 
           31  bearing ring 
           33  lateral surface 
           35  recess 
           37  contour 
           39  contact section 
           40  control point 
           41  axial contact surface 
           43  clearance 
           45  radial contact surface 
           47  raceway section 
           49  transitional area 
           51  collar 
           53  rim surface 
           61  bearing ring 
           63  lateral surface 
           65  recess 
           67  contour 
           69  contact section 
           71  axial contact surface 
           73  shoulder 
           75  radial shoulder 
           77  clearance 
           79  raceway section 
           81  transitional area 
           83  collar 
           85  rim surface 
           91  bearing 
           96  sealing element 
           94  sealing member 
           95  elastomer component 
           97  reinforcement 
           99  retaining lip 
           101  axial contact surface 
           103  elastomer section 
           105  sealing lip 
           107  rolling bearing cage 
           109  rolling element 
           111  base body 
           113  reinforcing section 
           115  transition 
           117  transitional area