CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a National Stage Patent Application of International Patent Application No. PCT/EP2018/058173, filed Mar. 29, 2018, which claims the benefit of German Application Serial No. 10 2017 107 135.0, filed Apr. 3, 2017, the contents of each are incorporated by reference in their entireties.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a bearing for a support mount, having a first housing part and a second housing part, between which a housing gap is formed, wherein a bearing device is arranged in the housing gap, wherein a sealing system is provided which seals the housing gap.

BACKGROUND

A bearing of the type mentioned above is used in a steered axle support mount in order to allow rotation between a vehicle body and a spring which may be part of a strut, in particular a McPherson strut.

To this end, the bearing is accommodated in a support mount, which may also be referred to as a “top mount”. The forces introduced into the spring or damper are transferred to the vehicle structure via the support mount.

A bearing of the type mentioned above may also be used in air springs of motor vehicles in order to protect the air spring bellows from damage by torsion, since torsional movements can occur even with non-steered axles due to the axle kinematics.

In order for the bearing to function properly, it is necessary to protect the bearing from contamination. For this purpose it is known to seal the bearing device by means of a sealing system.

In US 2015/0367698 A1, a strut mount having two housing parts and a slide bearing arranged between the two housing parts is disclosed, with the slide bearing being sealed by a labyrinth seal formed by both housing parts.

In U.S. Pat. No. 9,261,134 B2 and WO 2015/199022 A1 strut mounts having two housing parts are disclosed, with a slide bearing arranged between the two housing parts, the slide bearing being sealed against media influences by means of two sealing lips.

SUMMARY

The present invention is based on the problem of creating a bearing for a support mount that has an improved sealing and can be manufactured cost-effectively.

In order to solve the problem, a bearing having the features of claim1is proposed.

Advantageous embodiments of the bearing are disclosed in the dependent claims.

According to the invention, the bearing for a support mount has a first housing part and a second housing part between which a housing gap is formed, wherein a bearing device is arranged in the housing gap, wherein a sealing system is provided which seals the housing gap, the sealing system having at least one first sealing lip which is of pivotable design, wherein the first sealing lip is spaced apart from the first housing part and/or the second housing part in the non-sealing state and pivots for sealing the housing gap and bears against the first housing part and/or the second housing part.

The bearing is preferably used in a support mount for a motor vehicle. A motor vehicle is understood to be both a passenger vehicle and a commercial vehicle. The bearing may be used in a strut support mount to allow rotation between a vehicle body and a spring being part of the strut. Furthermore, the bearing may also be used with an air spring to compensate for torsional movements caused by bump-steer on steered and non-steered axles, for example during compression.

As soon as an external media jet, such as a water-particle-mixture, hits the first sealing lip, the first sealing lip pivots and rests against the first housing part and/or the second housing part and closes or seals the housing gap. The bearing device is therefore effectively protected against external media influences and thus against contamination. Since the first sealing lip is spaced from the first housing part and/or the second housing part in the non-sealing state, a contactless sealing system is created in the operating state, so that only low breakaway torques and hence low torques are required for a rotational relative movement of the two housing parts. In addition, the sealing system has a good sealing effect in the operating state. When no media jet hits the first sealing lip any more, the first sealing lip pivots back into its state spaced from the first housing part and/or the second housing part, so that medium that has entered the housing gap can flow out of the housing gap. Since the sealing system is arranged between the two housing parts, the bearing device can be protected in a highly effective manner and at the same time cost-effectively against media and environmental influences.

In an advantageous embodiment, an approximately horizontally extending first gap is formed between the at least first sealing lip and the first housing part and/or the second housing part. It is advantageous that the first gap has a length of at least 5 mm. The length of the approximately horizontal first gap corresponds to the distance from a free end of the first sealing lip to the beginning of the housing gap or of a first chamber. This creates a support with sufficient surface area for the contact of the first sealing lip. In addition, a penetrating medium, such as a fluid, must first cover a certain distance before it penetrates into the housing gap or a first chamber. This creates an improved seal. ‘Approximately horizontal’ means that the first gap is horizontal or that the first gap is at an angle equal to or less than 5° to a central axis of the bearing.

In an advantageous embodiment, the first sealing lip protrudes approximately horizontally from the first housing part and/or the second housing part in the non-sealing state. Since the sealing lip protrudes from the first housing part and/or the second housing part in the non-sealing state, a contactless sealing system is created. Thus, in the unloaded, non-sealing state, a low breakaway torque is required for a rotational relative movement of the two housing parts. In addition, when a medium impacts, the first sealing lip can pivot due to its horizontal arrangement and thus close the housing gap for sealing. In the sealing state, the sealing system works similar to a contacting sealing system where the sealing lip is in contact with the first housing part and/or the second housing part. ‘Approximately horizontally projecting’ means that the first sealing lip projects horizontally from the first housing part and/or the second housing part, or that the first sealing lip is aligned at an angle of 5° or less than to the first housing part and/or the second housing part.

In an advantageous design, the first sealing lip has a contoured surface on a side facing away from the first housing part and/or the second housing part. This allows the force required to pivot and to close the housing gap to be adjusted selectively. The first sealing lip may be tapered towards its free end on a side facing away from the first housing part and/or the second housing part.

In an advantageous design, the first sealing lip is adjoined by a first chamber. The first chamber, which is adjoining the first sealing lip, ensures a widening of the cross-section so that the pressure can be effectively reduced when a medium enters the housing gap. The chamber is advantageously designed in such a way that recirculation occurs in its interior and thus pressure can be reduced further when a medium penetrates. The first chamber is preferably located inside the housing gap. It is also advantageous that the first sealing lip limits the first chamber to the outside. Advantageously, the first chamber is integrated into the sealing system. Furthermore, it is advantageous that the first chamber is formed between the sealing system and the first housing part and/or the second housing part.

In an advantageous embodiment, the sealing system has a second sealing lip. The second sealing lip provides additional sealing of the housing gap if medium penetrates the housing gap, for instance if the first sealing lip is damaged. The second sealing lip is advantageously designed to be pivotable, the second sealing lip being spaced apart from the first housing part and/or the second housing part in the non-sealing state and being pivoted to seal the housing gap and resting against the first housing part and/or the second housing part. Thus the second sealing lip is designed as a contactless seal.

In an advantageous embodiment, the two sealing lips are arranged in series. This creates an effective sealing of the housing gap. The second sealing lip is only activated when medium enters the housing gap, for instance when the first sealing lip is damaged.

In an advantageous embodiment, the second sealing lip is arranged within the housing gap, wherein a second gap is formed between the second sealing lip and the first housing part and/or the second housing part. This means that the second sealing lip is only effective when medium enters the housing gap, for example when the first sealing lip is damaged. It is advantageous that the second gap between the second sealing lip and the housing part is directed upwards in an ascending direction, so that medium entering this housing gap has to ascend against gravity and can subsequently flow downwards.

In an advantageous embodiment, the second sealing lip borders the first chamber. When the pressure rises in the housing gap or in the first chamber when media enters, the second sealing lip rests against the first housing part and/or the second housing part and, by pivoting, closes and seals the housing gap or the second gap. Advantageously, the second sealing lip rests against a conical contact surface of the first housing part and/or the second housing part.

In an advantageous embodiment, the second sealing lip is bulged. In particular, the second sealing lip is bulged towards the first sealing lip. The curvature of the second sealing lip causes a recirculation of an entering medium. This results in a further reduction of pressure, so that further penetration of the medium into the housing gap is prevented. In addition, the curvature directed towards the first sealing lip causes the medium which has penetrated the second gap or the housing gap via the second sealing lip to subsequently flow out of the second gap or the housing gap due to gravity.

In an advantageous embodiment, the second sealing lip is adjoined by a second chamber. The second chamber causes a further pressure reduction due to its cross-sectional widening, when medium enters further into the housing gap via the second sealing lip. Advantageously, the second chamber is integrated into the sealing system. Further advantageously, the second chamber may be formed between the sealing system and the first housing part and/or the second housing part. Preferably, on one side facing away from the second sealing lip, the chamber is shaped in such a way that the medium entering the chamber is forced to recirculate out of the housing gap. For this purpose, the second chamber may be bent on a side facing away from the second sealing lip. Advantageously, the second chamber is arranged above the second sealing lip in such a way that a medium which penetrates this chamber can subsequently flow downwards unhindered by gravity.

In an advantageous embodiment, the sealing system is connected to the first housing part and/or the second housing part in a form-fit, force-fit and/or firmly bonded manner. This creates a simple and cost-effective connection between the sealing system and one or both of the housing parts. The sealing system may be pressed onto and/or glued to the first housing part and/or the second housing part. The sealing system may also be firmly bonded to the first housing part and/or the second housing part. Thus the sealing system and the first housing part and/or the second housing part may be manufactured by 2-component injection molding.

In an advantageous embodiment, the sealing system has a support section for supporting a spring element. Thus, the support section can be uniformly integrated into the sealing system in terms of material and can thus be produced cost-effectively.

In an advantageous embodiment, the bearing device has at least one slide bearing and/or one roller bearing. The slide bearing may have a slide body made of metal which is arranged between the two housing parts. Furthermore, the slide bearing may have two slide bodies which are arranged between the two housing parts. Both sliding bodies may be made of plastic. In addition, one of the sliding bodies may be made of plastic and the other may be made of metal or a hybrid material.

In an advantageous embodiment, a labyrinth seal is formed between the two housing parts. This further improves the sealing effect and prevents grease in the slide bearing or roller bearing from flowing into the housing gap. The labyrinth seal is preferably disposed downstream of the sealing system. The labyrinth seal consists of the two housing parts. Thus, one of the housing parts may have a projection which engages in a recess formed in the other housing part.

In an advantageous embodiment, the two housing parts are made of a plastic, and the sealing system is made of a thermoplastic elastomer. In this way, the sealing system can be manufactured firmly bonded with the first housing part and/or the second housing part using the 2-component injection molding process. If the sealing system has a contact section for the contact of a spring element, the elastomer support of the spring element can be uniformly integrated into the sealing system in terms of material. Advantageously, the two housing parts are made of fiber-reinforced plastic, in particular polyamide with a glass fiber content of more than 30%. The housing parts may have an additive that improves the sliding properties. In addition, the sealing system may be made of a vulcanized elastomer.

