Freudenberg Sealing Technologies has launched a new mechanical component that integrates plastic rotating bearings and seals in a precisely matched unit. The design has significant weight and cost compared to separate bearings and seals. and frictional advantages, as well as improved performance of paired bearings and seals. Freudenberg verified the advantages of this new component through extensive testing in sensor housing units including sealed bearing components.

Seals and bearings are mostly hidden deep in the core of mechanical equipment. They are important components in automotive and industrial applications. They are key elements for operational safety and mechanical performance. Their durability must be optimized to prevent system failure. At the same time, bearings and Seals must be small, light and cost-effective to meet manufacturers' needs to reduce vehicle cost and weight without sacrificing performance.

Freudenberg addresses these needs with the introduction of Seal Integrated Bearing (SWIB), an engineering solution the company spent two years developing and has successfully implemented in sensor housings for electric power steering (EPS) systems installed on electric vehicles. test.

The sensor records data such as steering angle and is crucial for advanced driver assistance programs such as Electronic Stability Control (ESC). The seal within the housing is responsible for protecting the sensor from the penetration of dust, splash water and other media throughout the vehicle's lifetime. , the bearings used in the assembly are also important, they must withstand huge mechanical loads, sometimes up to 3,000 Newtons of radial force when the car drives over the curb at extreme angles.

Integrated systems reduce loads and vibrations. Compared to separate bearings and seals, Freudenberg Sealing Technology's integrated solutions offer significant improvements in this area. The integrated plastic bearings are more rigid and therefore less susceptible to lateral forces when lateral forces are applied. , its deflection is reduced by nearly 50%, greatly reducing induced vibrations and thus improving the driver's steering comfort. On the other hand, the friction of the seal is reduced by 35%, thereby reducing resistance during steering, which is especially important for highly automated driving.