Double seal bearing

Abstract: A ball bearing including an inner race (1), an outer race (2) and balls (3) in a cage (4) interposed therebetween. One or both sides of the bearing is sealed by a sealing arrangement comprising inner and outer mutually spaced annular sealing plates (5,6). Either an inner peripheral region of each sealing plate (5,6) is connected to the inner race (1) or an outer peripheral region thereof is connected to the outer race (2) and the other of the inner and outer peripheral regions thereof is spaced a small distance (a,b) from the other of the inner and outer races (1,2). Each sealing plate peripheral region connected to a race is seated in a shoulder (1b,2a) in the end thereof. Clearance (a,b) between each sealing plate (5,6) and the inner or outer race (1,2) may be between the sealing plate (5,6) and either a shoulder (1a,2b) in an end of one race member or an end face thereof.

Description: The present invention relates in particular to a double seal bearing including a pair of sealing plates of non-contacting type on at least one side thereof, more particularly a double seal ball bearing especially suitable for the spindle motor of the hard disk drive means. The bearing illustrated in Fig. 7 includes a sealing structure of non-contacting type of the prior art. In this sealing structure of non-contacting type of the prior art includes at least on one end thereof a sealing plate 11. This sealing structure is of the non-contacting type in which the outer peripheral edge of the sealing plate 11 is secured on the end surface of the outer race 2, whereas the inner peripheral edge of this sealing plate is separated from the outer peripheral surface of the inner race 1. A disadvantage inherent in the bearing of non-contacting type is that the grease contained within the bearing and dust or other contaminant produced within the bearing tend to flow out through the clearance formed at the non contacting portion of the bearing while the inner or outer race is rotated. In general, following countermeasures have been taken to eliminate the above mentioned disadvantage. (1) One of the countermeasures is to make the inner peripheral edge 12a of the sealing plate contact with the outer peripheral surface of the inner race 1 as shown in Fig. 8. (2) The other of the countermeasures is to provide an oil seal (the seal of contacting type) or a labyrinth seal mechanism of non-contacting type for avoiding the flowing out of the grease or dust. However, following problems or disadvantages are present in these countermeasures. (1) As for the bearing including a sealing structure of the contacting type in which the inner peripheral edge of the sealing plate contacts with the inner race. there are problems listed below: (a) generated is a torque due to the friction between elements; (b) produced is a wear on the contacting portion (especially on the inner peripheral edge of the sealing plate) during the utilization of the bearing. This leads to the leakage of the grease and the production of the dust or particles due to wear; and (c) The material employed for the sealing plate is limited to rubber materials or resinous materials. This leads to the limitation of the application of the bearing. (2) As for the bearing including a sealing structure such as the oil seal (the seal of contacting type), or the bearing including a sealing structure of the non-contacting type such as labyrinth seal mechanism, there is a substantial common problem that the additional space for providing such sealing means is required. This is a major problem for the equipment necessitating miniturization. In addition, the cost for manufacturing the bearing is also increased. In the case of the bearing adapted to be used in the spindle motor of the hard disk drive means, the function of the magnetic disk is affected seriously, if wear particles produced during rotation flow into the magnetic disk portion. In recent years, various sealing means have been proposed for preventing particles produced within the bearing from flowing out of the bearing. With these sealing means, although it is possible to provide a sealing effect similar to that obtained by bearings including a sealing means of contacting type, such bearings cannot be adopted since they produce wear particles at the sealing contacting portion between elements. Accordingly, the following structures for sealing have been adopted; the structure in which a bearing including a sealing plate of non-contacting type at the one side thereof is used together with an additional labyrinth mechanism; the structure in which a bearing including a sealing plate of non-contacting type at the one side thereof is used together with an additional magnetic fluid sealing mechanism; and the structure in which a bearing including a sealing plate of non-contacting type at the one side thereof is used together with an additional magnetic fluid sealing mechanism and a labyrinth mechanism. In these structures, the additional space for installing such additional sealing mechanisms as mentioned above is required. Additionally, the distance between bearings (bearing span) is insufficient for eliminating the harmonic vibration due to the lack of the accuracy of the rotation of the motor hub and the rigidity of assembly. The stability of the rotation is not assured. Further, it is difficult to substantially prevent the particles within the bearing from flowing out into the disk portion. Accordingly, the object of the present invention is to improve and ascertain the non-contacting sealing function by providing dual labyrinth mechanism through incorporating an additional labyrinth mechanism into the bearing of prior non-contacting type including at the one side thereof a sealing plate. Another object of the present invention is to provide a multi purpose bearing which can be employed not only as a bearing of inner race rotating type, but also as a bearing of outer race rotating type. A sealed bearing assembly is described in Patent FR-A-569065 (on which the preamble of claim 1 is based). While the bearing assembly depicted in Fig. 19 of FR-A-569065 includes the features set out in the preamble of claim 1, an unsecured peripheral edge of each sealing plate is merely axially spaced from an adjacent peripheral surface of an associated inner or outer race member resulting in unsatisfactory sealing being achieved. Thus, according to the invention, there is provided a double seal bearing in accordance with claim 1. The embodiments of the bearing of the present invention will now be described as follows. <The first embodiment of the invention> The outer peripheral portion of the inner sealing plate is secured on an inner shoulder of the outer race leaving a slight clearance between the inner peripheral surface of the sealing plate and an inner shoulder of the inner race. Thus, the sealing plate and the inner race are prevented from contacting with each other, and a labyrinth seal function can be obtained. The inner peripheral portion of the outer sealing plate is secured by any adhesive on the outer shoulder of the inner race leaving a slight clearance between the outer peripheral surface of the sealing plate and the outer shoulder of the outer race so as to prevent the sealing plate and the outer race from contacting each other. Thus the labyrinth seal function can be obtained. <The second embodiment of the invention> The inner peripheral portion of the inner sealing plate is secured by any adhesive on the inner shoulder of the inner race leaving a slight clearance between the outer peripheral surface of the sealing plate and the inner shoulder of the outer race so as to prevent the sealing plate and the outer race from contacting each other. Thus the labyrinth seal function can be obtained. The outer peripheral portion of the outer sealing plate is secured by any adhesive on the outer shoulder of the outer race leaving a slight clearance between the inner peripheral surface of the sealing plate and the outer shoulder of the inner race so as to prevent the sealing plate and the inner race from contacting each other. Thus the labyrinth seal function can be obtained. <The third embodiment of the invention> The outer peripheral portion of the inner sealing plate is secured by any adhesive on the inner shoulder of the outer race leaving a slight clearance between the inner peripheral surface of the sealing plate and the inner shoulder of the inner race so as to prevent the sealing plate and the inner race from contacting each other. Thus the labyrinth seal function can be obtained. The outer peripheral portion of the outer sealing plate is also secured by any adhesive on the outer shoulder of the outer race leaving a slight clearance between the inner peripheral surface of the sealing plate and the outer shoulder of the inner race so as to prevent the sealing plate and the inner race from contacting each other. Thus the labyrinth seal function can be obtained. <The fourth embodiment of the invention> The inner peripheral portion of the inner sealing plate is secured by any adhesive on the inner shoulder of the inner race leaving a slight clearance between the outer peripheral surface of the sealing plate and the outer shoulder of the inner race so as to prevent the sealing plate and the outer race from contacting each other. Thus the labyrinth seal function can be obtained. The inner peripheral portion of the outer sealing plate is also secured by any adhesive on the outer shoulder of the inner race leaving a slight clearance between the outer peripheral surface of the sealing plate and the outer shoulder of the outer race so as to prevent the sealing plate and the outer race from contacting each other. Thus the labyrinth seal function can be obtained. The advantages of the present invention The following advantages can be obtained by a pair of sealing plates of non-contacting type incorporated into the end portion or portions of the bearing per se. (a) The sealing effect will be increased substantially relative to the bearing of the prior art including one sealing plate of the non-contacting type. (b) The leakage of the grease contained in the bearing through the non-contacting portion of the sealing plate can be avoided, and the affect on the rotation of the bearing can be improved. (c) The conventionally required space for installing the labyrinth seal additionally to the bearing no longer necessary. (d) It is possible to make the equipment employing the bearing of the present invention compact, to reduce the space required for installing the bearing, and to decrease the cost for making the equipment. (e) It is possible to substitute the bearing of the present invention for the bearing of the prior art of contacting type, for the purpose of increasing the reliability. (f) In the case that the double seal bearing of the present invention is incorporated into the motor of the hard disk drive means, particles within the bearing are prevented from flowing into the magnetic disk by means of the labyrinth seal function of the bearing. In this connection, it is not necessary to provide an additional labyrinth seal and/or magnetic fluid seal. Further. it is also possible to increase the bearing span. In conclusion, the disadvantages or problems associated with the bearing of the prior art can be eliminated once and for all by the present invention. Further feature of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art to which the present invention relates from reading the following specification with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is an elevational view showing a double seal bearing of the first embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 2 is a longitudinal cross sectional view showing the double seal bearing as shown in Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a longitudinal cross sectional view showing a double seal bearing of the second embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 4 is a longitudinal cross sectional view showing a double seal bearing of the third embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 5 is a longitudinal cross sectional view showing a double seal bearing of the fourth embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 6 is a perspective view showing annular sealing plates adapted to be incorporated into the double seal bearing of the present invention; Fig. 7 is a longitudinal cross sectional view showing the bearing of non-contacting type of the prior art; Fig. 8 is a longitudinal cross sectional view showing the bearing of contacting type of the prior art. The first embodiment of the bearing of the present invention will now be described with reference to Figs. 1 and 2. In the structure of the bearing as shown in these figures, the bearing includes a radially inner race 1, a radially outer race 2, and a rotating body such as balls 3 retained between inner and outer races by means of retainer 4. Each axial side portion of the inner race 1 is provided with stepped contour including a radially inner shoulder 1a of smaller diameter and a radially outer shoulder 1b of larger diameter. Each axial side portion of the outer race 2 is also provided with stepped contour including a radially inner shoulder 2a of smaller diameter and a radially outer shoulder 2b of larger diameter. Each side portion of the bearing is adapted to be closed by a pair of annular sealing plates 5 and 6 such as those shown in Fig. 10. Each of these plates 5 and 6 is provided with a central opening 5a, 6a respectively. In the first embodiment of the present invention as shown in Fig. 2, the radially outer peripheral portion of the axially inner sealing plate 5 is secured by any adhesive on the inner shoulder 2a of the outer race 2 leaving a slight clearance (a) between the inner peripheral surface of the sealing plate 5 and the inner shoulder 1a of the inner race 1. Thus, the sealing plate and the inner race are prevented from contacting each other, and a labyrinth seal function can be obtained. The radially inner peripheral portion of the axially outer sealing plate 6 is secured by any adhesive on the outer shoulder 1b of the inner race 1 leaving a slight clearance (b) between the outer peripheral surface of the sealing plate 6 and the outer shoulder 2b of the outer race 2 so as to prevent the sealing plate and the outer race from contacting each other. Thus the labyrinth seal function can be obtained. In the structure of the bearing of the second embodiment of the present invention as shown in Fig. 3, the inner peripheral portion of the inner sealing plate 5 is secured by any adhesive on the inner shoulder 1a of the inner race 1 leaving a slight clearance (c) between the outer peripheral surface of the sealing plate 6 and the inner shoulder 2a of the outer race 2 so as to prevent the sealing plate and the outer race from contacting each other. Thus the labyrinth seal function can be obtained. The outer peripheral portion of the outer sealing plate 6 is secured by any adhesive on the outer shoulder 2b of the outer race 2 leaving a slight clearance (d) between the inner peripheral surface of the sealing plate 6 and the outer shoulder 1b of the inner race 1 so as to prevent the sealing plate and the inner race from contacting each other. Thus the labyrinth seal function can be obtained. In the structure of the bearing of the third embodiment of the present invention as shown in Fig. 4, the outer peripheral portion of the inner sealing plate 5 is secured by any adhesive on the inner shoulder 2a of the outer race 2 leaving a slight clearance (a) between the inner peripheral surface of the sealing plate 5 and the inner shoulder 1a of the inner race 1 so as to prevent the sealing plate and the inner race from contacting each other. Thus the labyrinth seal function can be obtained. The outer peripheral portion of the outer sealing plate 6 is also secured by any adhesive on the outer shoulder 2b of the outer race 2 leaving a slight clearance (d) between the inner peripheral surface of the sealing plate 6 and the outer shoulder 1b of the inner race 1 so as to prevent the sealing plate and the inner race from contacting each other. Thus the labyrinth seal function can be obtained. In the structure of the bearing of the fourth embodiment of the present invention as shown in Fig. 5, the inner peripheral portion of the inner sealing plate 5 is secured by any adhesive on the inner shoulder 1a of the inner race 1 leaving a slight clearance (c) between the outer peripheral surface of the sealing plate 5 and the inner shoulder 2a of the outer race 2 so as to prevent the sealing plate and the outer race from contacting each other. Thus the labyrinth seal function can be obtained. The inner peripheral portion of the outer sealing plate 6 is also secured by any adhesive on the outer shoulder 1b of the inner race 1 leaving a slight clearance (b) between the outer peripheral surface of the sealing plate 6 and the outer shoulder 2b of the outer race 2 so as to prevent the sealing plate and the outer race from contacting each other. Thus the labyrinth seal function can be obtained. In the above mentioned embodiments, although a pair of inner and outer sealing plates 5 and 6 are adapted to be provided on both sides of the bearing body, these sealing plates can be provided on one side of the bearing body. In such a case, the opposite side of the bearing body can be provided with a sheet of sealing plate of contacting or non-contacting type, or no plates are provided. In the illustrated embodiments, although rotating bodies are shown as balls of the ball bearing, rollers (in the case of roller bearing) can also be utilised. Further, the present invention can be applied equally to a needle bearing and a fluid journal bearing. The bearing in accordance with the present invention can be applied to many kinds of motors. In particular, the bearing of the present invention can be employed as a bearing of the motor of the hard disk drive means, or a bearing of the pivot shaft of the swing arm of the hard disk drive means. While particular embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated and described, it should be obvious to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention, as defined by the claims. In the associated claims, the embodiments are covered by the claims as follows: Claims Figure Claims Figure 1 2 to 5 7 5 2 2 and 4 3 2 4 4 5 3 and 5 6 3

Claims: A double Seal bearing includilg a radially inner race (1) , a radially outer race (2), and rotating bodies (3) interposed therebetween wherein at least one side of the bearing is provided with a pair of annular axially inner (5) and outer (6) sealing plates having a respective central opening (5a, 6a), a slight clearance exiting between each plate and one of the inner and outer races respectively so as to provide a labyrinth seal function characterised in that at said at least one side of the bearing, one or both of the ends of the outer race (2) is provided on its radially inner peripherals surface with a stepped contour which is defined by two axially extending shoulders and two radially extending steps providing an axially extending inner shoulder (2a) of smaller diameter and an axially extending outer shoulder (2b) of larger diameter, one or both of the ends of the inner race (1) is provided on its radially outer peripheral surface with a stepped contour which is defined by two axially extending shoulders and two radially extending steps providing an axially extending inner shoulder (1a) of smaller, diameter and an axially extending outer shoulder (1b) of larger diameter and wherein an unsecured peripheral portion of the inner sealing plate (5) directly faces a first suck step providing a labyrinth seal between the inner sealing plate and the first step and an unsecured peripheral portion of the outer sealing plate (6) directly faces a second such step providing a labyrinth seal between the outer sealing plate and the second step, wherein the second step is located at a different radius than the first such step. A bearing according to claim 1 wherein a radially outer peripheral portion of the axially inner sealing plate (5) is secured on the inner shoulder (2a) of the outer race (2) leaving a slight clearance (a) between an inner peripheral surface of the inner sealing plate and the inner shoulder (1a) of the inner race (1) so as to prevent the inner sealing plate and the inner race from contacting each other. A bearing according to claim 2 wherein a radially inner peripheral portion of the axially outer sealing plate (6) is secured on the radially outer shoulder (1b) of the inner race (1) leaving a slight clearance (b) between an outer peripheral surface of the outer sealing plate and the radially outer shoulder (2b) of the outer race (2) so as to prevent the outer sealing plate (6) and the outer race (2) from contacting each other. A bearing according to claim 2 wherein a radially outer peripheral portion of the axially outer sealing plate (6) is secured on the radially outer shoulder (2b) of the outer race (2) leaving a slight clearance (d) between an inner peripheral surface of the outer sealing plate and the radially outer shoulder (1b) of the inner race (1) so as to prevent the outer sealing plate (6) and the inner race (1) from contacting each other. A bearing according to any preceding claim wherein a radially inner peripheral portion of the axially inner sealing plate (5) is secured on the radially inner shoulder (1a) of the inner race (1) leaving a slight clearance (c) between an outer peripheral surface of the inner sealing plate (5) and the radially inner shoulder (2a) of the outer race (2) so as to prevent the inner sealing plate (5) and the outer race (2) from contacting each other. A bearing according to claim 5 wherein a radially outer peripheral portion of the outer sealing plate (6) is secured on the radially outer shoulder (2b) of the outer race (2) leaving a slight clearance (d) between an inner peripheral surface of the outer sealing plate (6) and the radially outer shoulder (1b) of the inner race (1) so as to prevent the outer sealing plate (6) and the inner race (1) from contacting each other. A bearing according to claim 5 wherein a radially inner peripheral portion of the axially outer sealing plate (6) is secured on the radially outer shoulder (1b) of the inner race (1) leaving a slight clearance (b) between an outer peripheral surface of the outer sealing plate (6) and the radially outer shoulder (2b) of the outer race (2) so as to prevent the outer sealing plate (6) and the outer race from contacting each other.

Inventors: OBARA RIKURO, OBARA, RIKURO
Applicants: MINEBEA KK, MINEBEA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
Application year: 1998
Main classification: F16C33
IPC codes: F16C33