How Can Skeleton Oil Seals for AGV AMR Drive Wheels Adapt to Different Floor Conditions?

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For mobile robots such as AGVs and AMRs, maintaining reliable sealing of the drive‑wheel axle is essential for long‑term performance. The core requirement is ensuring that the skeleton oil seal can adapt to variations in dust, moisture, chemical exposure, and impact loads. To achieve this, the sealing structure must provide sufficient material durability, adequate lip‑design elasticity, and stable alignment with the shaft system.

Different operating environments demand different sealing strategies for a simple reason: floor conditions directly determine the type and concentration of contaminants. Once contaminants enter the bearing chamber, they quickly degrade grease, wear the shaft surface, and ultimately cause drive‑wheel failure. Therefore, seal materials, lip geometry, and protective features must be adjusted according to the environment to ensure long‑term reliability.

Requirements Across Common Floor Conditions

Indoor Smooth Floors

Examples include electronics factories and warehouse centers, where fine dust is the primary contaminant. In these environments, seals require stable lip contact pressure and wear‑resistant materials. Nitrile rubber (NBR) or hydrogenated nitrile rubber (HNBR) is typically sufficient, combined with a light dust lip to block airborne particles.

Outdoor Mixed Surfaces

Areas such as campus roads and loading zones expose seals to larger dust particles and fluctuating humidity. Here, stronger weather resistance and mud‑water protection are needed. Fluorocarbon rubber (FKM) or HNBR is more suitable. A dual‑lip structure effectively prevents mud and moisture intrusion, and the metal case requires enhanced corrosion protection.

High‑Humidity or Chemical Environments

Food processing plants and chemical warehouses expose seals to water, cleaning agents, and corrosive media. Material selection becomes critical. FKM, EPDM, or specialty chemical‑resistant elastomers significantly improve service life. Lip preload should be increased to withstand the impact of cleaning water jets.

High‑Impact or High‑Load Conditions

Heavy‑duty AGVs and fork‑type AMRs experience frequent micro‑movements of the drive axle. In such cases, seals must offer greater structural stability. A thicker metal case, reinforced spring, and wear‑resistant lip materials help reduce wear caused by shaft vibration and maintain sealing integrity.

To ensure reliable sealing under complex operating conditions, system‑level improvements are essential. These include establishing environment‑based classification standards during component selection, reserving adequate axial and radial stability margins during design, and implementing periodic inspection routines during maintenance. Only by integrating material selection, structural design, installation quality, and maintenance practices can AGV/AMR robots maintain stable drive performance across all floor environments.