Encoder-equipped sealing device

An encoder-equipped sealing device comprising:

• a first seal member facing in a first direction, and a second seal member facing in an opposite second direction, wherein
• (i) each of said first and second seal members include a reinforcing ring having an L-shaped cross section defined by a cylindrical portion and a flange portion extending from one end of said cylindrical portion in a direction perpendicular to said cylindrical portion,
• (ii) said first seal member includes an elastic seal supported by said reinforcing ring of said first seal member, with said elastic seal extending toward said second seal member such that two seal portions are formed between said elastic seal and said second seal member, with one of said two seal portions being formed between said elastic seal and said flange portion of said second seal member, and the other of said two seal portions being formed between said elastic seal and said cylindrical portion of said second seal member,
• (iii) one of said first and second seal members includes an elastic element on a side of said flange portion of said reinforcing ring of said one of said first and second seal members that faces away from the other of said first and second seal members, with said elastic element having an end, and
• (iv) said other of said first and second seal members includes an encoder on a side of said flange portion of said reinforcing ring of said other of said first and second seal members that faces away from said one of said first and second seal members, with said encoder having an end that is generally at the same level as said end of said elastic element such that when the encoder-equipped sealing device and another encoder-equipped sealing device are adjacent one another, and oriented in a particular direction, said end of said elastic element corresponds to the end of the encoder of the another encoder-equipped sealing device and spaces said flange portion of said reinforcing ring of said one of said first and second seal members from the encoder of the another encoder-equipped sealing device.