Annular seal assembly for insertion between two relatively rotatable members, in particular a tub and a rotating shaft of the drum of a washing machine

摘要

A seal assembly (1) including a first rigid shield (11) having an annular sealing member (12) of elastomeric material, and a second rigid shield (13) mounted facing the first and having respective sliding surfaces (14; 15) for a first and second annular sealing lip (16; 18) of the annular sealing member, which extend towards the second rigid shield to exert axial sealing pressure and radial sealing pressure, respectively; wherein the first annular sealing lip (16) has a radial seat (30) facing the opposite way to the second annular sealing lip and housing a toroidal spring, which exerts a radial thrust on the first annular sealing lip eccentrically with respect to an elastic hinge defined by a root portion (33) common to the first and second annular sealing lip, and having a centre of rotation (C) located along a line (R) extending through a V-shaped sealing edge (34) of the first annular sealing lip and forming a 20° to 60° angle (γ) with a radial plane; the root portion (33) being defined between two opposite annular recesses (40; 41) of the annular sealing member, which have a U-shaped radial section and bottom walls facing each other and substantially aligned along the aforementioned line (R); and the second annular sealing lip (18) having a V-shaped sealing edge (38) defined by an undulated, circumferential groove (W).