Sealed thrust bearing assembly.

摘要

A unitized sealed thrust bearing includes two annular races (12) and (14) with a complement of bearing balls (16) therebetween. One race (12) includes an axially inwardly extending central cylindrical flange (24) and the other race (14) includes a pair of elastomeric sealing lips (36) and (38), one 36 of which is bonded to the outer edge of the race and the other (38) of which is bonded to the inner edge of the race. The central flange (24) includes an unobstructed radially inwardly facing wall (26) and a radially outwardly facing wall (28) with a radially and axially inwardly facing sealing surface (32) terminating in a radially outwardly extending rib (34). The inner sealing lip (38) includes an outer sealing wall (42) which in its undeformed state slopes axially and radially inwardly at a greater angle than the sealing surface (32), and an axially inwardly facing shoulder (44) at the terminus thereof.

As the races (12) and (14) are moved axially together during assembly, the sealing wall (42) of the inner lip (38) flexes as it slides past the rib (34) and into engagement with the sealing surface (32), and the shoulder (44) moves adjacent the rib (34) and the outer sealing lip (36) engages the other race (12). Axial separating movement of the races (12) and (14) engages the shoulder (44) with the rib (34) to compress the inner lip (38) and retain the races (12) and (14) In their assembled condition.