Elastic sealing element in the form of bellows

US6308959A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• ZF Lemförder Metallwaren AG · DE

Inventors

• Dirk Sokolihs · Porta Westfalica, DE
• Uwe Petersen · Espelkamp, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Mar 1, 1999
• Grant date: Oct 30, 2001
• Expiry date: Mar 1, 2019

Classification

• Technology area (CPC F): Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
• CPC primary: F16J3/046
• WIPO field: Mechanical elements
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

An elastic sealing element in the form of bellows, which is used to seal the contact surface between at least two components movable in relation to one another is described, which has low-elasticity contact zones as well as a deformation zone whose elasticity is higher than that of the contact zones, wherein the said deformation zone defines a chamber for accommodating lubricants on its inner side facing the movable components. An overpressure relief means (14) is arranged at least in the area of one of the two low-elasticity contact zones (6 or 7). The overpressure relief means (14) has at least one relief opening (15) connecting the lubricant chamber (11) with the outside of the sealing element (1) and a closing element (16) covering the said relief opening. The closing element (16) is in turn made in one piece with the sealing element (1) and closes the relief opening (15) up to an overpressure limit in the lubricant chamber (11) due to the intrinsic elasticity of the material of the sealing element.