Conductive structure and conductive method

Abstract

Provided is a conductive structural member capable of suppressing a decrease in conductivity even when exposed to foreign matter. [Solution] The conductive structure 1 is a conductive structure that forms a conductive path in an annular gap. The conductive structure 1 includes an annular closing member 2 around an axis x that closes the gap, and an annular conductive path member 3 around the axis x that forms a conductive path 4. The conductive path member 3 penetrates the closing member 2 in the radial direction.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a conductive structure and a conductive method, and more particularly to a conductive structure and a conductive method for forming a conductive path in a rotating shaft. [Background technology]

[0002] For example, in a vehicle equipped with an electric motor such as an electric vehicle (EV), electromagnetic noise may be generated by induced current generated by the motor. Such electromagnetic noise may cause communication failure in AM radios and other wireless communication devices. In addition, such electromagnetic noise may cause electrolytic corrosion in metal parts such as bearings. For this reason, efforts have been made to remove such electromagnetic noise, and conductive structures that form a conductive path in a rotating shaft have been proposed. For example, a technology has been disclosed in which a conductive structure is attached to a housing of a motor, a disk-shaped conductive member made of a conductive material is brought into contact with the rotating shaft of the motor, a conductive path is formed between the rotating shaft and the housing, and electromagnetic noise is released from the rotating shaft to the housing (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Special Publication No. 2019-509007 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] When a conductive structure is exposed to foreign matter such as muddy water, rainwater, or dust, corrosion such as rust may occur, resulting in a decrease in conductivity. For this reason, in order to prevent a decrease in conductivity due to exposure to foreign matter, conventional conductive structures are provided in mechanisms that are restricted from contacting foreign matter, such as mechanisms that are surrounded by a casing. As such, conventional conductive structures have been limited in their applicability.

[0005] For this reason, there is a demand for a configuration for conventional conductive structures that can prevent a decrease in conductivity even when exposed to foreign matter.

[0006] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned problems, and its object is to provide a conductive structure and a conductive method that can suppress a decrease in conductivity even when exposed to foreign matter. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the conductive structure of the present invention is a conductive structure that forms a conductive path in a gap between a through hole and an axis passing through the through hole, and comprises a closing member that forms a ring-shaped sealing structure around an axis for sealing the gap, and a conductive path member that is ring-shaped around the axis for forming the conductive path, the closing member having a seal lip formed from a ring-shaped elastic material around the axis, and a side lip formed from a ring-shaped elastic material around the axis, the seal lip is adapted to contact the axis to seal an object to be sealed, the side lip extends toward the side opposite to the seal lip in the axial direction and is adapted to contact the axis to prevent entry of foreign matter from the opposite side, and the conductive path member is located between the seal lip and the side lip.

[0008] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the conductive structure of the present invention is a conductive structure that forms a conductive passage in an annular gap, and comprises an annular closing member about an axis that closes the gap, and an annular conductive passage member about the axis that forms the conductive passage, and the conductive passage member radially penetrates the closing member.

[0009] In the conductive structure according to one aspect of the present invention, the closing member and the conductive path member are integral with each other.

[0010] In a conductive structure according to one embodiment of the present invention, the closing member has a first body portion which is an annular portion about the axis, and a second body portion which is an annular portion about the axis, and the first body portion and the second body portion are attachable to each other in the axial direction with the conductive passage member sandwiched therebetween.

[0011] In a conductive structure according to one embodiment of the present invention, the conductive passage member has a conductive member which is a member having annular conductivity around the axis, and the conductive member has an annular inner end portion around the axis, and the inner end portion is adapted to contact an inner member which forms the annular gap.

[0012] In a conductive structure according to one embodiment of the present invention, the conductive passage member has a metal member which is a member formed from a ring-shaped metal material around the axis, the conductive member and the metal member overlap in the axial direction, and the metal member is exposed on the outer circumferential side.

[0013] In a conductive structure according to one aspect of the present invention, the closing member is a sealing structure for sealing the gap.

[0014] In a conductive structure according to one aspect of the present invention, the gap is a gap between a through hole and an axis passing through the through hole.

[0015] In a conductive structure according to one embodiment of the present invention, the gap is a gap between a through hole and an axis passing through the through hole, the closing member is a sealing structure for sealing the gap, the first main body portion has a reinforcing ring which is a member annular about the axis, and an elastic body portion which is a member formed of an elastic material annular about the axis attached to the reinforcing ring, the second main body portion has a support ring which is a member annular about the axis, and an elastic body portion which is a member formed of an elastic material annular about the axis attached to the support ring, the elastic body portion of the first main body portion has an annular seal lip that contacts the axis, and the elastic body portion of the second main body portion has an annular side lip extending toward the side opposite to the first main body portion in the axial direction, and the side lip expands in diameter as it approaches the opposite side in the axial direction.

[0016] The conductive structure according to one aspect of the present invention is used in a differential device, the through hole being provided in a housing of the differential device, and the shaft being an output shaft of the differential device.

[0017] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the conductive method of the present invention is a conductive method for forming a conductive passage in an annular gap, in which a conductive passage member, which is a member that forms the conductive passage annularly around an axis, is radially penetrated by a closing member, which is a member that is annularly around the axis and closes the gap.

[0018] In one aspect of the present invention, a conductive method includes integrating the closing member and the conductive path member.

[0019] A conductive method according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises forming the closing member into a first body portion which is an annular portion about the axis and a second body portion which is an annular portion about the axis, and attaching the first body portion and the second body portion to each other in the axial direction with the conductive passage member in between.

[0020] In one embodiment of the conductive method of the present invention, the conductive passage member is formed from a conductive member which is a member having annular conductivity around the axis line, and a metal member which is a member formed from a metal material which is ring-shaped around the axis line, the conductive member and the metal member are stacked in the axial direction, the metal member is exposed on the outer periphery side, and the annular inner end of the conductive member around the axis line is brought into contact with an inner member which forms the annular gap.

[0021] In a conductive method according to one aspect of the present invention, the gap is sealed by the closing member.

[0022] In one aspect of the conductive method of the present invention, the gap is a gap between a through hole and an axis passing through the through hole.

[0023] In one embodiment of the conductive method of the present invention, the gap is a gap between a through hole and an axis passing through the through hole, and the closing member forms a sealing structure for sealing the gap, the first main body portion is formed of a reinforcing ring which is a member annular about the axis line and an elastic body portion which is a member formed of an elastic material annular about the axis line and attached to the reinforcing ring, the second main body portion is formed of a support ring which is a member annular about the axis line and an elastic body portion which is a member formed of an elastic material annular about the axis line and attached to the support ring, the elastic body portion of the first main body portion is brought into contact with the axis, and the elastic body portion of the second main body portion is extended to the side opposite the first main body portion in the axial direction and is expanded in diameter as it approaches the opposite side.

[0024] The electrical conduction method according to one aspect of the present invention is used in a differential device, the through hole is provided in a housing of the differential device, and the shaft is an output shaft of the differential device. Effect of the Invention

[0025] According to the conductive structure and conductive method of the present invention, the decrease in conductivity can be suppressed even when exposed to foreign matter. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0026] [Figure 1] 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a schematic configuration of a conductive structure according to an embodiment of the present invention, taken along a plane including an axis. [Diagram 2] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of an example of a modified conductive structure. [Diagram 3] 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a conductive structure in a use state in which the conductive structure is attached to an application target of the conductive structure; DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0027] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that in the drawings, not all of the components are labeled with reference numerals, and some of the components may be omitted.

[0028] The conductive structure and conductive method according to the present invention form a conductive path in an annular gap. The conductive structure and conductive method according to the present invention form a conductive path in an annular gap between, for example, a shaft and a hole through which the shaft is inserted. The conductive structure and conductive method according to the embodiment of the present invention are used, for example, in a differential device having a differential mechanism for absorbing the difference in rotation speed between the left and right driving wheels during turning in an electric vehicle (EV) such as a battery electric vehicle (BEV) or a hybrid vehicle. The differential device includes, for example, a transaxle differential gear in an eAxle, which is an electric drive unit of an electric vehicle (EV). The through hole is provided in a housing of the differential device, and the shaft is an output shaft of the differential device rotatably inserted through the through hole. Note that the application of the conductive structure and conductive method according to the present invention is not limited to this.

[0029] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a cross section along a plane including an axis x, showing a schematic configuration of a conductive structure 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 shows one side of the cross section of the conductive structure 1 with respect to the axis x. The conductive structure 1 is a conductive structure that forms a conductive path in an annular gap, and is used, for example, in a transaxle differential gear in an eAxle, which is an electric drive unit. The conductive structure 1 forms a conductive path in an annular gap between an output shaft and an axial hole, which is a through hole provided in a housing of the differential gear. As shown in FIG. 1, the conductive structure 1 includes an annular closing member 2 around the axis x that closes the gap, and an annular conductive path member 3 around the axis x that forms a conductive path 4. The conductive path member 3 penetrates the closing member 2 in the radial direction. The configuration of the conductive structure 1 will be specifically described below.

[0030] The radial direction is a direction perpendicular to the axis x. In the radial direction, the side approaching the axis x (see arrow c in FIG. 1) is the inner circumferential side, and the side moving away from the axis x (see arrow d in FIG. 1) is the outer circumferential side. In addition, the side facing the direction of the arrow a (see FIG. 1) in the direction of the axis x is the outer circumferential side, and the side facing the direction of the arrow b (see FIG. 1) in the direction of the axis x is the inner circumferential side. The outer circumferential side is the side facing the outside of the object of application, and the inner circumferential side is the side facing the inside of the object of application. More specifically, the outer circumferential side is the side facing the outside of the housing in the differential gear, or the atmospheric side, and the inner circumferential side is the side facing the inside of the housing in the differential gear.

[0031] As shown in FIG. 1, the closing member 2 and the conductive passage member 3 are integrated. Specifically, for example, the closing member 2 has a first body portion 5 which is an annular portion around the axis x and a second body portion 6 which is an annular portion around the axis x, and the first body portion 5 and the second body portion 6 can be attached to each other in the direction of the axis x with the conductive passage member 3 sandwiched therebetween. In other words, the first body portion 5 and the second body portion 6 are attached to each other with the conductive passage member 3 sandwiched therebetween, and the closing member 2 and the conductive passage member 3 are integrated. The closing member 2 forms, for example, a sealing structure having a configuration for sealing a gap. The conductive passage member 3 is located in a space surrounded by the closing member 2 in a state in which the conductive structure 1 is used, which will be described later, and is protected in this space from foreign objects such as muddy water, rainwater, and dust, and lubricating oil, which is a sealed object.

[0032] 1, the first body portion 5 of the closing member 2 has a configuration similar to that of a known sealing device, and includes a reinforcing ring 10 which is an annular member about the axis x, and an elastic body portion 20 which is an annular member formed from an elastic material about the axis x and is attached to the reinforcing ring 10. The elastic body portion 20 also has an annular seal lip 21 which contacts the output shaft of the differential gear.

[0033] As shown in FIG. 1, the reinforcing ring 10 has, for example, a cylindrical tube portion 11 and a lip support portion 12 that bends inward from the outer end of the tube portion 11 and extends to the inner periphery. The tube portion 11 has, for example, a fitting portion 11a which is an inner portion, and a support portion 11b which is an outer portion. The fitting portion 11a and the support portion 11b are, for example, cylindrical or approximately cylindrical portions with the axis x as the central axis or approximately central axis. The support portion 11b is located on the inner periphery side of the fitting portion 11a, and a step portion 11c that forms a radial step is formed between the fitting portion 11a and the support portion 11b. The fitting portion 11a is a portion for fixing the conductive structure 1 to an axial hole of a housing of a differential gear to which the conductive structure 1 is applied, and the support portion 11b is a portion for integrally attaching the first main body portion 5 and the second main body portion 6.

[0034] The lip support portion 12 is shaped, for example, so that the seal lip 21 is disposed at a desired position in the conductive structure 1. The lip support portion 12 is an annular plate-like portion extending radially from the outer end of the tubular portion 11 toward the inner periphery, as shown in Fig. 1 for example. The reinforcing ring 10 is formed as an integral member, for example, by pressing or forging a metal plate, and the tubular portion 11 and the lip support portion 12 are each part of the reinforcing ring 10 formed integrally from the same material, and are integrally continuous. Examples of the metal material of the reinforcing ring 10 include stainless steel and SPCC (cold rolled steel).

[0035] The elastic body portion 20 is attached to the reinforcing ring 10 as described above, and is integrated with the reinforcing ring 10 so as to cover the reinforcing ring 10 from the inside, as shown in FIG. 1 for example. The seal lip 21 is adapted to contact the output shaft of the differential gear from the outer periphery side. In addition to the seal lip 21, the elastic body portion 20 has, for example, a base portion 22, a gasket portion 23, and a support portion 24. The base portion 22 is a portion of the elastic body portion 20 that extends mainly over the inner surface of the reinforcing ring 10 across the tubular portion 11 and the lip support portion 12 of the reinforcing ring 10. The seal lip 21 extends inward from the base portion 22. The gasket portion 23 is a portion that covers the fitting portion 11a of the reinforcing ring 10 from the outer periphery side, and is a portion that is press-fitted into the shaft hole of the housing of the differential gear. The outer peripheral surface 23a of the gasket portion 23 has a diameter such that it is compressed between the through hole of the differential gear housing and the fitting portion 11a of the tubular portion 11 of the reinforcing ring 10 and is pressed against the through hole of the differential gear housing.

[0036] The support portion 24 is a portion that covers the support portion 11b of the reinforcing ring 10 from the outer periphery side, and is a portion for supporting the second main body portion 6. As described above, the second main body portion 6 is attached to the first main body portion 5, and specifically, for example, the support portion 24 of the elastic body portion 20 of the first main body portion 5 is capable of being fitted with the second main body portion 6. As a result, the second main body portion 6 is supported by the support portion 24 of the elastic body portion 20 of the first main body portion 5, and the second main body portion 6 is fixed to the first main body portion 5. For example, the outer periphery surface 24a of the support portion 24 is compressed between the fitted portion of the second main body portion 6 and the support portion 11b of the tubular portion 11 of the reinforcing ring 10, and has a diameter such that it is pressed against the fitted portion of the second main body portion 6.

[0037] As described above, the elastic body portion 20 is formed from an elastic material. Examples of the elastic material of the elastic body portion 20 include various rubber materials. Examples of the various rubber materials include synthetic rubbers such as nitrile rubber (NBR), hydrogenated nitrile rubber (H-NBR), acrylic rubber (ACM), and fluororubber (FKM). The elastic body portion 20 is molded, for example, by crosslinking (vulcanization) molding using a molding die. During this crosslinking molding, the reinforcing ring 10 is placed in the molding die, and the elastic body portion 20 is bonded to the reinforcing ring 10 by crosslinking adhesion, and the elastic body portion 20 is molded integrally with the reinforcing ring 10. In the illustrated example, the elastic body portion 20 does not cover the outer surface of the lip support portion 12 of the reinforcing ring 10, but the elastic body portion 20 may cover the outer surface of the lip support portion 12 of the reinforcing ring 10 partially or entirely.

[0038] As shown in Fig. 1, the second main body portion 6 of the closing member 2 has a support ring 30 which is an annular member about the axis x, and an elastic body portion 40 which is an annular member formed of an elastic material about the axis x and attached to the support ring 30. The elastic body portion 40 has an annular side lip 41 which extends toward the outside, which is the side opposite to the first main body portion 5 in the direction of the axis x. The side lip 41 is enlarged in diameter as it goes toward the outside in the direction of the axis x. Specifically, the side lip 41 is adapted to come into contact with the output shaft of the differential gear or a deflector provided on the output shaft from the inside.

[0039] As shown in FIG. 1, the support ring 30 has, for example, a cylindrical tube portion 31, a support portion 32 that bends inward from the outer end of the tube portion 31 and extends to the inner periphery, and a side lip support portion 33 that extends to the inner periphery from the inner end of the support portion 32. The tube portion 31 is a portion that is fitted to the first main body portion 5 described above. The tube portion 31 is, for example, a cylindrical or approximately cylindrical portion with the axis x as the central axis or approximately central axis. The inner peripheral surface 31a facing the inner peripheral side of the tube portion 31 is configured so that the support portion 24 of the elastic body portion 20 of the first main body portion 5 is press-fitted into the inner peripheral side of the tube portion 31. Specifically, the inner peripheral surface 31a of the tube portion 31 is configured so that the support portion 24 of the elastic body portion 20 of the first main body portion 5 is press-fitted into the inner peripheral side of the tube portion 31 via the conductive path member 3. Specifically, the diameter of the inner peripheral surface 31a of the tubular portion 31 is set to a value that allows the support portion 24 of the elastic body portion 20 of the first main body portion 5 to be press-fitted into the inner peripheral side of the tubular portion 31 via the conductive path member 3. In other words, the diameter of the inner peripheral surface 31a of the tubular portion 31 is set to a value that allows the conductive path member 3 to be press-fitted into the inner peripheral side of the tubular portion 31.

[0040] Moreover, the tubular portion 31 is adapted to be press-fitted into the shaft hole of the differential gear. Specifically, the diameter of the outer peripheral surface 31b of the tubular portion 31 is set to a value that allows the tubular portion 31 to be press-fitted into the shaft hole of the differential gear. In other words, the diameter of the outer peripheral surface 31b of the tubular portion 31 is set to a value larger than the diameter of the shaft hole of the differential gear. Note that the tubular portion 31 may not be press-fitted into the shaft hole of the differential gear. In this case, the diameter of the outer peripheral surface 31b of the tubular portion 31 is set to a value equal to or smaller than the diameter of the shaft hole of the differential gear.

[0041] 1, the end 31c, which is the inner end of the tubular portion 31 of the support ring 30, is configured to form a space between the first body portion 5 and the end 31c in the direction of the axis x in an assembled state of the conductive structure 1 in which the second body portion 6 is integrally attached to the first body portion 5 via the conductive path member 3. Specifically, in the assembled conductive structure 1, the end 31c of the tubular portion 31 of the support ring 30 forms an annular gap between the gasket portion 23 of the elastic body portion 20 of the first body portion 5 and the end 31c in the direction of the axis x.7 They are arranged to face each other with a gap between them.

[0042] The support portion 32 is a portion that sandwiches the conductive path member 3 between itself and the first main body portion 5 in the direction of the axis x. As shown in Fig. 1, the support portion 32 is, for example, an annular plate-like portion that extends from the outer end of the tube portion 31 toward the inner periphery in the radial direction. The support portion 32 extends, for example, in an annular shape along a plane perpendicular to the axis x. The support portion 32 extends toward the inner periphery so as to have a portion that faces the lip support portion 12 of the reinforcing ring 10 of the first main body portion 5 in the direction of the axis x when the second main body portion 6 is attached to the first main body portion 5.

[0043] The side lip support portion 33 is a portion that supports the side lip 41, and enables the side lip 41 to be formed. The side lip support portion 33 extends from the end portion on the inner periphery side of the support portion 32 toward the inner periphery side, inclining outward. This prevents the elastic portion 40 from interfering with other portions when the first main body portion 5 and the second main body portion 6 are assembled together, preventing the first main body portion 5 and the second main body portion 6 from being assembled in the intended state.

[0044] The support ring 30 is formed as an integral member, for example, by pressing or forging a metal plate, and the cylindrical portion 31, the support portion 32, and the side lip support portion 33 are each portions of the support ring 30 integrally formed from the same material and are integrally continuous. Examples of the metal material of the support ring 30 include stainless steel and SPCC (cold rolled steel).

[0045] The support ring 30 is exposed on the surface of the conductive structure 1 as shown in FIG. 1, and is exposed to the outside of the housing of the differential gear when attached to the differential gear in use. Therefore, the support ring 30 is easily exposed to foreign matter such as muddy water, rainwater, and dust when in use. In order to prevent the support ring 30 from becoming corroded, such as rust, due to exposure to foreign matter, for example, the surface of the support ring 30 is subjected to an anti-rust treatment. Note that the surface of the support ring 30 does not need to be subjected to an anti-rust treatment. In particular, when the support ring 30 is covered by the base 42, the surface of the support ring 30 does not need to be subjected to an anti-rust treatment.

[0046] The side lip 41 has a similar shape to that of a known sealing device such as a known differential side seal used in a differential device. For example, as shown in FIG. 1, the side lip 41 extends from a base 42, which is a part of the elastic body part 40 attached to the tip of the side lip support part 33 of the support ring 30. The base 42 may extend from the tip of the side lip support part 33 to another part of the side lip support part 33 and cover this other part, or may extend to the part of the support part 32 and cover this part as well, or may extend to the part of the tube part 31 and cover the support part 32 and this tube part 31 as well. The entire support ring 30 may be covered by the base 42.

[0047] As described above, the side lip 41 has a diameter that increases toward the outside in the direction of the axis x, and has, for example, a conical or substantially conical cylindrical shape extending along the axis x. In addition, an inner peripheral surface 41a facing the inner peripheral side of the side lip 41 is provided with a plurality of annular grooves 43 around the axis x. The grooves 43 are provided, for example, on the side of the tip portion 41b of the side lip 41. The grooves 43 are grooves for holding grease to be applied to the side lip 41. The tip portion 41b of the side lip 41 is the tip side of the side lip 41, that is, the outer end and the portion in the vicinity thereof.

[0048] When the conductive structure 1 is in use, the side lip 41 is configured so that the inner surface 41a of the tip portion 41b contacts a deflector attached to the output shaft of the differential gear or a deflector formed integrally with the output shaft of the differential gear from the inside in the direction of the axis x.

[0049] As described above, the elastic body portion 40 is formed from an elastic material. The elastic body of the elastic body portion 40 may be, for example, various rubber materials. Examples of the various rubber materials include synthetic rubbers such as nitrile rubber (NBR), hydrogenated nitrile rubber (H-NBR), acrylic rubber (ACM), and fluororubber (FKM). The elastic body portion 40 is molded by cross-linking (vulcanization) molding using a molding die. During this cross-linking molding, the support ring 30 is placed in the molding die, and the elastic body portion 40 is bonded to the support ring 30 by cross-linking adhesion, and the elastic body portion 40 is molded integrally with the support ring 30.

[0050] 1, the conductive path member 3 has, for example, a conductive member 50 which is a member having annular conductivity around the axis x. The conductive path member 3 also has a metal ring 60 which is a metal member which is a member formed from a metal material in a ring shape around the axis x. The conductive member 50 and the metal ring 60 overlap in the direction of the axis x, and the metal ring 60 is exposed on the outer circumferential side.

[0051] The conductive member 50 is a member for forming the conductive path 4 between the housing and the output shaft in the differential gear. The conductive member 50 has an inner peripheral end portion 53 which is an end portion on the inner peripheral side of the annular shape around the axis x, and the inner peripheral end portion 53 is adapted to come into contact with the output shaft of the differential gear when the conductive structure 1 is in use.

[0052] As shown in FIG. 1, the conductive member 50 is a plate-like member annular around the axis x, and has a contact side surface 51 and a back surface 52, which are a pair of annular surfaces facing each other in the direction of the axis x. As shown in FIG. 1, the contact side surface 51 faces the outside in the direction of the axis x, and the back surface 52 faces the inside in the direction of the axis x. The conductive member 50 has an annular inner peripheral end 50a at its inner end, and an annular outer peripheral end 50b at its outer end. The inner peripheral end 50a defines a space (through hole) penetrating the conductive member 50 in the direction of the axis x on the inner side. The inner peripheral end 50a extends, for example, along a circle centered on the axis x. Similarly, the outer peripheral end 50b extends, for example, along a circle centered on the axis x.

[0053] As shown in FIG. 1, the inner peripheral end 53 of the conductive member 50 protrudes further inward than the inner peripheral end 22a, which is the inner peripheral end of the base 22 of the elastic body portion 20 of the first main body portion 5. As described above, the inner peripheral end 53 of the conductive member 50 is adapted to come into contact with the output shaft of the differential gear when the conductive structure 1 is in use, and therefore the diameter of the inner peripheral end 50a of the conductive member 50 is smaller than the diameter of the output shaft of the differential gear. Note that the inner peripheral end 53 of the conductive member 50 may have one or more notches (not shown) extending radially from the inner peripheral end 50a around the axis x. When the conductive member 50 has multiple notches, these multiple notches are provided, for example, at equal or approximately equal angular intervals around the axis x. The notches can reduce the resistance of the conductive member 50 to the output shaft.

[0054] The conductive member 50 is supported by being sandwiched between the lip support portion 12 of the reinforcing ring 10 of the first main body portion 5 and the support portion 32 of the support ring 30 of the second main body portion 6, and therefore, in order for the conductive member 50 to have a portion sandwiched between the lip support portion 12 of the reinforcing ring 10 of the first main body portion 5 and the support portion 32 of the support ring 30 of the second main body portion 6, the outer peripheral end 50b of the conductive member 50 is located in a radial range in which the lip support portion 12 and the support portion 32 face each other in the direction of the axis x, or is located on the outer peripheral side of the radial range in which the lip support portion 12 and the support portion 32 face each other in the direction of the axis x. In the illustrated example, the outer peripheral end 50b of the conductive member 50 is located on the outer peripheral side of the radial range in which the lip support portion 12 and the support portion 32 face each other in the direction of the axis x.

[0055] The conductive member 50 extends along a plane perpendicular to the axis x as shown in FIG. 1, and has a hollow disk-like or approximately disk-like shape. The inner peripheral end 53 or the inner peripheral end 53 and its vicinity of the conductive member 50 may not extend along a plane perpendicular to the axis x. For example, the inner peripheral end 53 or the inner peripheral end 53 and its vicinity of the conductive member 50 may be curved so that the back surface 52 side is concave and the diameter decreases toward the inside in the direction of the axis x. The inner peripheral end 53 or the inner peripheral end 53 and its vicinity of the conductive member 50 may extend along a surface that combines a flat surface and a curved surface. The inner peripheral end 53 or the inner peripheral end 53 and its vicinity of the conductive member 50 are located on the inner peripheral side of the part sandwiched between the lip support part 12 of the reinforcing ring 10 of the first main body part 5 and the support part 32 of the support ring 30 of the second main body part 6.

[0056] As described above, the conductive member 50 is made of a conductive material. The material of the conductive member 50 is, for example, conductive PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene). The material of the conductive member 50 is not limited to conductive PTFE, and may be, for example, another conductive resin, conductive rubber, or a conductive fiber such as a nonwoven fabric.

[0057] The conductive passage member 3 also has, for example, a support member 70 that supports the conductive member 50. The support member 70 is a member that overlaps with the back surface 52 of the conductive member 60 and can press the inner peripheral end 53 of the conductive member 50 toward the inner peripheral side. As shown in FIG. 1, for example, the support member 70 is a plate-like member that is annular around the axis x and has a pressing side surface 71 and a back surface 72 that are a pair of annular surfaces that face each other in the direction of the axis x. As shown in FIG. 1, the pressing side surface 71 faces the outside, and the back surface 72 faces the inside. The support member 70 has an annular inner peripheral end 70a at its end on the inner peripheral side, and also has an annular outer peripheral end 70b at its end on the outer peripheral side. The inner peripheral end 70a defines a space (through hole) that penetrates the support member 70 in the direction of the axis x on the inner peripheral side. The inner peripheral end 70a extends, for example, along a circle centered on the axis x. Similarly, the outer peripheral edge 70b extends, for example, along a circle centered on the axis x.

[0058] The support member 70 overlaps the conductive member 50 in the direction of the axis x. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 1, the pressing side surface 71 of the support member 70 faces the back surface 52 of the conductive member 50 and is in contact with it. As shown in FIG. 1, the conductive member 50 and the support member 70 are shaped to overlap with each other, for example, when viewed in the direction of the axis x. That is, the back surface 52 of the conductive member 50 and the pressing side surface 71 of the support member 70 have the same or approximately the same shape and size, and the inner circumferential end 50a and the outer circumferential end 50b of the conductive member 50 and the inner circumferential end 70a and the outer circumferential end 70b of the support member 70 overlap with each other, so that the conductive member 50 and the support member 70 overlap with each other. Note that the inner circumferential end 50a and the outer circumferential end 50b of the conductive member 50 and the inner circumferential end 70a and the outer circumferential end 70b of the support member 70 do not have to overlap with each other. In this case, for example, the inner peripheral end 70a of the support member 70 is located on the outer peripheral side of the inner peripheral end 50a of the conductive member 50.

[0059] As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the support member 70, like the conductive member 50, extends along a plane perpendicular to the axis x and has a hollow disk-like or approximately disk-like shape. The inner peripheral end 73 or the inner peripheral end 73 and its vicinity of the support member 70 may not extend along a plane perpendicular to the axis x, like the conductive member 50. For example, the inner peripheral end 73 or the inner peripheral end 73 and its vicinity of the support member 70 may be curved so that the back surface 72 side is concave, like the conductive member 50, and may be curved so that the diameter decreases toward the inside in the direction of the axis x. Also, the inner peripheral end 73 or the inner peripheral end 73 and its vicinity of the support member 70 may extend along a surface that is a combination of a flat surface and a curved surface, like the conductive member 50. Furthermore, the inner circumferential end portion 73 of the support member 70 or the inner circumferential end portion 73 and its vicinity is a portion that is more inner than the portion sandwiched between the lip support portion 12 of the reinforcing ring 10 of the first main body portion 5 and the support portion 32 of the support ring 30 of the second main body portion 6.

[0060] The support member 70 is a member having elasticity, such as a leaf spring. The support member 70 is made of an elastic material, and various elastic materials can be used as the elastic material of the support member 70. The support member 70 may or may not have electrical conductivity.

[0061] The metal ring 60, together with the conductive member 50, is a member for forming the conductive path 4 between the housing and the output shaft in the differential gear. As described above, the metal ring 60 is exposed on the outer circumferential side, and this exposed portion is adapted to come into contact with the housing of the differential gear when the conductive structure 1 is in use.

[0062] As shown in FIG. 1, the metal ring 60 has, for example, a cylindrical tube portion 61 and a contact portion 62 that bends inward from the outer end of the tube portion 61 and extends to the inner periphery. The tube portion 61 has, for example, a fitting portion 63 that is an outer portion and a contact end portion 64 that is an inner portion. The fitting portion 63 is a portion that is fitted between the first main body portion 5 and the second main body portion 6. Specifically, the fitting portion 63 is configured so that the support portion 24 of the elastic body portion 20 of the first main body portion 5 is pressed into the inner periphery side, and is also pressed into the inner periphery side of the tube portion 31 of the support ring 30 of the second main body portion 6. The fitting portion 63 has, for example, a cylindrical or approximately cylindrical shape with the axis x as the central axis or approximately the central axis. Specifically, for example, the diameter of the inner peripheral surface 63a of the fitting portion 63 is smaller than the diameter of the outer peripheral surface 24a of the support portion 24 of the elastic body portion 20 of the first main body portion 5, and the diameter of the outer peripheral surface 63b of the fitting portion 63 is larger than the diameter of the inner peripheral surface 31a of the tubular portion 31 of the support ring 30 of the second main body portion 6. The inner peripheral surface 61a is a surface facing the inner peripheral side of the fitting portion 61, and the outer peripheral surface 61b is a surface facing the outer peripheral side of the fitting portion 61. The shape and size of the fitting portion 63 are not limited to the above-mentioned form, and may be any form in which the fitting portion 63 is sandwiched between the support portion 24 of the elastic body portion 20 of the first main body portion 5 and the tubular portion 31 of the support ring 30 of the second main body portion 6, and the first main body portion 5 and the second main body portion 6 are fixed to each other between the support portion 24 of the elastic body portion 20 and the tubular portion 31 of the support ring 30. In this case, for example, the fitting portion 63 may have a wavy cross section that protrudes alternately to the outer circumferential side and the inner circumferential side and extends in the circumferential direction about the axis x. Also, the fitting portion 63 may have a shape in which gaps are formed at intervals in the circumferential direction and which extends intermittently in the circumferential direction.

[0063] As shown in FIG. 1, the contact end 64 is located on the outer periphery side of the fitting portion 63, and the contact end 64 is adapted to contact the inner periphery surface of the axial hole of the housing of the differential gear when the conductive structure 1 is in use. The contact end 64 has, for example, a cylindrical or approximately cylindrical shape with the axis x as the central axis or approximately the central axis. Specifically, for example, the diameter of the outer periphery surface 64a of the contact end 64 is the same as or larger than the diameter of the inner periphery surface of the axial hole of the housing of the differential gear. The outer periphery surface 64a is the surface facing the outer periphery side of the contact end 64. The shape and size of the contact end 64 are not limited to the above-mentioned form, and it is sufficient that the contact end 64 is adapted to contact the inner periphery surface of the axial hole of the housing of the differential gear when the conductive structure 1 is in use. In this case, for example, the contact end 64 may have a corrugated cross section that alternately protrudes to the outer periphery side and the inner periphery side and extends in the circumferential direction around the axis x. Additionally, the contact end 64 may have a shape in which gaps are formed at intervals in the circumferential direction and which extends intermittently in the circumferential direction.

[0064] As shown in FIG. 1, the fitting portion 63 and the contact end 64 are connected to each other via a stepped portion 65. The stepped portion 65 is a portion that forms a step in the radial direction. As described above, the size of the radial step of the stepped portion 65 is set to be large enough to allow the contact end 64 to contact the inner circumferential surface of the axial hole of the housing of the differential gear. The fitting portion 63 is configured such that the stepped portion 65 and the contact end 64 are spaced apart from the gap in the direction of the axis x between the gasket portion 23 of the elastic body portion 20 of the first main body portion 5 and the tubular portion 31 of the support ring 30 of the second main body portion 6. 7 Specifically, for example, the length of the fitting portion 63 in the axial direction x is set so that the step portion 65 and the contact end portion 64 are positioned at a position corresponding to the gap in the axial direction x between the gasket portion 23 of the elastic body portion 20 of the first main body portion 5 and the cylindrical portion 31 of the support ring 30 of the second main body portion 6. 7 1, for example, the length of the fitting portion 63 in the axial x direction is such that the position of the inner end (end 63c) of the fitting portion 63 in the axial x direction is the same as or approximately the same as the position of the inner end 31c of the tube portion 31 of the support ring 30 of the second main body portion 6 in the axial x direction.

[0065] The contact portion 62 is a plate-like member annular around the axis x, as shown in FIG. 1, for example, and has a pair of annular surfaces, ie, side surfaces 62a and 62b, facing each other in the direction of the axis x. As shown in FIG. 1, the side surface 62a faces inward, and the side surface 62b faces outward. The connection portion 62 has an annular inner end 62c at its inner end. The inner end 62c defines a space (through hole) penetrating the connection portion 62 in the direction of the axis x on the inner side. The inner end 62c extends, for example, along a circle centered on the axis x. The radial position of the inner end 62c is such that, when the conductive structure 1 is in use, the output shaft is inserted and the conductive member 50 is not hindered from being deformed. 1, the radial position of the inner circumferential end 62c is located on the outer circumferential side of the inner circumferential end (end 22a) of the base 22 of the elastic body portion 20 of the first main body portion 5. However, the radial position of the inner circumferential end 62c is not limited to this position.

[0066] The metal ring 60 is made of a metal material having electrical conductivity. The metal ring 60 is formed as an integral member, for example, by pressing or forging a metal plate, and the tubular portion 61 and the contact portion 62 are each parts of the metal ring 60 integrally formed from the same material, and are integrally continuous. The metal material of the reinforcing ring 10 is, for example, a metal material having high electrical conductivity. Note that the material of the metal ring 60 is not limited to metal, and may be other materials having electrical conductivity.

[0067] In the conductive path member 3, for example, the support member 70 is located inside the conductive member 50, and the contact portion 62 of the metal ring 60 is located outside the conductive member 50. Specifically, the pressing side surface 71 of the support member 70 contacts the back surface 52 of the conductive member 50. Also, the inner side surface 62a of the contact portion 62 of the metal ring 60 contacts the contact side surface 51 of the conductive member 50, away from the inner peripheral end 50a of the conductive member 50 toward the outer periphery as described above. The support member 70 may be fixed to the conductive member 50 by adhesion or the like, and in the conductive structure 1 assembled as described later, the conductive member 50 and the support member 70 may be sandwiched between the lip support portion 12 of the reinforcing ring 10 of the first main body portion 5 and the support portion 32 of the support ring 30 of the second main body portion 6, and may be in contact with the conductive member 50 so as to be immovable relative to each other. Similarly, the conductive member 50 may be fixed to the metal ring 60 by adhesion or the like, and in the conductive structure 1 assembled as described below, the conductive member 50 and the metal ring 60 may be sandwiched between the lip support portion 12 of the reinforcing ring 10 of the first main body portion 5 and the support portion 32 of the support ring 30 of the second main body portion 6, and may be in contact with each other so as to be unable to move relative to each other.

[0068] The conductive structure 1 has the above-mentioned configuration, and is produced by assembling the first body portion 5 and the second body portion 6 together via the conductive path member 3. Specifically, the support portion 24 of the elastic body portion 20 of the first body portion 5 is press-fitted into the fitting portion 63 of the tubular portion 61 of the metal ring 60 of the conductive path member 3 that is stacked as described above. Then, the fitting portion 63 of the tubular portion 61 of the metal ring 60 of the conductive path member 3 into which the support portion 24 of the elastic body portion 20 of the first body portion 5 is press-fitted is press-fitted into the tubular portion 31 of the support ring 30 of the second body portion 6. The conductive path member 3 is sandwiched between the lip support portion 12 of the reinforcing ring 10 of the first body portion 5 and the support portion 32 of the support ring 30 of the second body portion 6, and the conductive structure 1 is assembled. Note that the order of assembly is not limited to this. In other words, after the fitting portion 63 of the tubular portion 61 of the metal ring 60 of the conductive passage member 3 is pressed into the tubular portion 31 of the support ring 30 of the second main body portion 6, the support portion 24 of the elastic body portion 20 of the first main body portion 5 may be pressed into the fitting portion 63 of the tubular portion 61 of the metal ring 60 of the conductive passage member 3.

[0069] Furthermore, the first body portion 5 and the second body portion 6 may be pressed in a direction in which they approach each other in the direction of the axis x, and the conductive structure 3 may be sandwiched between the first body portion 5 and the second body portion 6 as described above. Furthermore, the conductive structure 3 may be brought into contact with the lip support portion 12 of the reinforcing ring 10 of the first body portion 5, and then the conductive structure 3 may be brought into contact with the support portion 32 of the support ring 30 of the second body portion 6. Furthermore, conversely, the conductive structure 3 may be brought into contact with the support portion 32 of the support ring 30 of the second body portion 6, and then the conductive structure 3 may be brought into contact with the lip support portion 12 of the reinforcing ring 10 of the first body portion 5.

[0070] As shown in Fig. 1, in the conductive structure 1 in an assembled state, the conductive path member 3 is sandwiched between the lip support portion 12 of the reinforcing ring 10 of the first body portion 5 and the support portion 32 of the support ring 30 of the second body portion 6. Specifically, the support member 70 of the conductive path member 3 is in contact with the lip support portion 12 of the reinforcing ring 10 of the first body portion 5, and the contact portion 62 of the metal ring 60 of the conductive path member 3 is in contact with the support portion 32 of the support ring 30 of the second body portion 6. In the conductive path member 3 sandwiched between the first body portion 5 and the second body portion 6, the conductive member 50 is in contact with the metal ring 60. Both the conductive member 50 and the metal ring 60 are conductive, and the conductive path 4 is formed by the conductive member 50 and the metal ring 60.

[0071] Moreover, the conductive member 50 protrudes into the inner peripheral space defined by the first body portion 5 and the second body portion 6, and the inner peripheral end 50a of the conductive member 50 is located in the inner peripheral space defined by the first body portion 5 and the second body portion 6. Moreover, the contact end portion 64 of the metal ring 60 is exposed from the outer peripheral surface of the first body portion 5 and the second body portion 6. As a result, the conductive path 4 formed by the conductive member 50 and the metal ring 60 extends into the inner peripheral space defined by the first body portion 5 and the second body portion 6 and the outer peripheral space of the first body portion 5 and the second body portion 6. In this way, the conductive path 4 formed by the conductive member 50 and the metal ring 60 extends radially through the closing member 2.

[0072] Next, an example of a modified conductive structure 1 will be described. Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view of an example of a modified conductive structure 1. As shown in Fig. 2, in the conductive path member 3, the support member 70 may be overlapped so as to contact the conductive member 50 from the outside. In this case, the contact side surface 51 of the conductive member 50 faces inward, and the back surface 52 faces outward. Also, the pressing side surface 71 of the support member 70 faces inward, and the back surface 72 faces outward.

[0073] Next, the function of the conductive structure 1 having the above-mentioned configuration will be described. Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing the conductive structure 1 in use attached to an application target of the conductive structure 1. As described above, an example of an application target of the conductive structure 1 is a differential gear 100. Also, an example of the differential gear 100 is a transaxle differential gear of an eAxle, which is an electric drive unit of an electric vehicle (EV) such as a battery electric vehicle (BEV) or a hybrid vehicle.

[0074] As shown in FIG. 3, the differential gear 100 has a housing 101 that surrounds the internal mechanism of the differential gear 100, and an output shaft 110 for outputting power. The housing 101 and the main shaft 110 of the differential gear 100 are made of metal. The housing 101 is formed with a shaft hole 102 that is a through hole for projecting the output shaft 110 to the outside, and the output shaft 110 extends to the outside through the shaft hole 102 of the housing 101. A deflector 111 is provided on a portion of the output shaft 110 that protrudes from the housing 101. The deflector 111 forms a surface 112 along a plane perpendicular to the axis of the main shaft 110 from the outer circumferential surface 110a of the output shaft 110. The deflector 111 may be a member separate from the output shaft 110 that is fitted to the outer circumferential surface 110a of the output shaft 110, or may be formed integrally with the output shaft 110. An annular gap 120 is formed between the output shaft 110 and the shaft hole 102 of the housing 101, and the conductive structure 1 forms a conductive path in this gap 120. The conductive structure 1 also functions as a differential side seal.

[0075] The conductive structure 1 is attached to the gap 120 between the housing 101 and the output shaft 110 of the differential gear 100 and is in a usable state, as shown in Fig. 3. Specifically, as shown in Fig. 3, the conductive structure 1 is inserted into the axial hole 102 of the housing 101 so that the outer circumferential side of the conductive structure 1 faces the inner circumferential surface 102a of the axial hole 102, the output shaft 110 is inserted into the space surrounded by the inner circumferential side of the conductive structure 1, and the side lip 41 of the second main body portion 6 comes into contact with the deflector 111, so that the conductive structure 1 is in a usable state.

[0076] Specifically, in a use state, the gasket portion 23 of the elastic body portion 20 of the first main body portion 5 is press-fitted into the axial hole 102 of the housing 101, and the gasket portion 23 is compressed in the radial direction between the inner peripheral surface 102a of the axial hole 102 and the fitting portion 11a of the reinforcing ring 10 of the first main body portion 5. This ensures that the axial hole 102 of the housing 101 is sealed on the outer peripheral side of the conductive structure 1. In addition, the cylindrical portion 31 of the support ring 30 of the second main body portion 6 is press-fitted into the axial hole 102, and the cylindrical portion 31 is fixed to the axial hole 102. This fixes the side lip 41 to the housing 101. Note that when the cylindrical portion 31 does not contact the inner peripheral surface 102a of the axial hole 102, the cylindrical portion 31 is not press-fitted into the axial hole 102.

[0077] 3, in the usage state, the seal lip 21 is in contact with the outer peripheral surface 110a of the output shaft 110, thereby sealing the shaft hole 102 of the housing 101 on the inner peripheral side of the conductive structure 1. In addition, as shown in FIG. 3, in the usage state, the tip portion 41b of the side lip 41 is in contact with the surface 112 of the deflector 111 from the inside. This prevents foreign matter from entering, and prevents or suppresses foreign matter from approaching the seal lip 21 from the outside of the differential gear 100.

[0078] As described above, in the use state, the first body portion 5 and the second body portion 6 which are the closing member 2 close the gap 120 between the housing 101 and the output shaft 110 of the differential gear 100, and aim to seal the lubricating oil which is the object to be sealed inside the housing 101. In addition, the first body portion 5 and the second body portion 6 which are the closing member 2 prevent or suppress the intrusion of foreign matter into the housing 101, and also prevent or suppress the approach of foreign matter to the seal lip 21.

[0079] Also, as shown in FIG. 3, in the use state, the contact side surface 51 at the inner peripheral end 53 of the conductive member 50 of the conductive path member 3 contacts the outer peripheral surface 110a of the output shaft 110, and the inner peripheral end 53 of the conductive member 50 is pressed toward the outer peripheral side by the output shaft 110 and deformed. As shown in FIG. 3, the inner peripheral end 53 of the conductive member 50 contacts the outer peripheral surface 110a of the output shaft 110 with a width in the axial x direction. Also, as shown in FIG. 3, in the use state, the contact end 64 of the metal ring 60 of the conductive path member 3 contacts the inner peripheral surface 102a of the shaft hole 102 of the housing 101, and the metal ring 60 contacts the conductive member 50 in the axial x direction. In this way, the conductive member 50 and the metal ring 60 form a conductive path 4 that flows electricity between the output shaft 110 and the housing 101 in the use state. Moreover, the conductive member 50 and the metal ring 60 are sandwiched between the first body portion 5 and the second body portion 6 in the direction of the axis x, and radially penetrate the closing member 2 and the conductive structure 1. In this manner, the conductive path member 3 radially penetrates the conductive structure 1, and forms a conductive path 4 that radially penetrates the conductive structure 1.

[0080] As described above, the conductive path member 3 penetrates the closing member 2 in the radial direction, is between the seal lip 21 and the side lip 41, and extends into the space closed by the closing member 2. Specifically, the conductive path member 3 is in contact with a space blocked from the outer space by the support ring 30 and the side lip 41 of the second main body portion 6, and is in contact with a space blocked from the inner space by the seal lip 21 and the gasket portion 23 of the first main body portion 5. Therefore, the conductive path member 3 is in a space surrounded mainly by the seal lip 21 and the side lip 41 of the closing member 2 that form a sealed structure. This prevents or suppresses the conductive member 50 and the metal ring 60 of the conductive path member 3 from being exposed to foreign matter, and prevents or suppresses the conductive member 50 and the metal ring 60 from being corroded by foreign matter. In addition, the conductive member 50 and the metal ring 60 of the conductive path member 3 are prevented or suppressed from coming into contact with the lubricating oil that is the object to be sealed. This prevents or suppresses the conductive performance of the conductive member 50 and the metal ring 60 from being deteriorated.

[0081] 3, the support member 70 overlaps the conductive member 50, and the pressing side surface 71 of the support member 70 contacts the back surface 52 of the conductive member 50. As described above, in the use state, the inner peripheral end 53 of the conductive member 50 is deformed by receiving a reaction force from the output shaft 110 on the outer periphery side, and the inner peripheral end 73 of the support member 70 is also deformed by receiving a reaction force from the shaft 110 on the outer periphery side via the inner peripheral end 53 of the conductive member 50. Since the inner peripheral end 73 of the support member 70 has elasticity as described above, the inner peripheral end 73 of the support member 70 is elastically deformed, and a reaction force against the force received from the output shaft 110 is generated in the inner peripheral end 73 of the support member 70. Due to the reaction force of this support member 70, the conductive member 50 is pressed against the outer peripheral surface 110a of the output shaft 110, and the contact side 51 of the conductive member 50 is pressed toward the output shaft 110 and comes into contact with the outer peripheral surface 110a of the output shaft 110.

[0082] In this way, in the use state, the conductive member 50 is pressed against the outer peripheral surface 110a of the output shaft 110 by the reaction force of the support member 70, and the contact between the conductive member 50 and the output shaft 110 is strong. In addition, the ability of the inner peripheral end portion 53 of the conductive member 50 to follow the output shaft 110 is improved, and in this respect as well, the contact between the conductive member 50 and the output shaft 110 is strong. As a result, in the conductive structure 1, the contact between the conductive member 50 and the output shaft 110 is stable.

[0083] As described above, the conductive structure 1 is integrally assembled with the first body portion 5, the second body portion 6, and the conductive path member 3. This eliminates the need to handle multiple members as in the case where the conductive path member is a separate member, and facilitates handling during manufacturing, management, and the like.

[0084] As described above, according to the conductive structure 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to suppress a decrease in conductivity even when exposed to a foreign object.

[0085] The conductive method according to the present invention is a conductive method for forming a conductive path in an annular gap, in which a conductive path member, which is a member forming a conductive path annularly around an axis, is radially inserted through a closing member, which is a member annularly around an axis that closes the gap. By carrying out the conductive method according to the present invention, the above-mentioned conductive structure according to the present invention is manufactured. Each step of the conductive method according to the present invention will be explained by the explanation of the above-mentioned conductive structure according to the present invention.

[0086] Although the present invention has been described above through the above embodiments, the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the scope described in the above embodiments. It is clear to those skilled in the art that various modifications or improvements can be made to the above embodiments. It is clear from the claims that such modifications or improvements can also be included in the technical scope of the present invention.

[0087] The above-described embodiments are intended to facilitate understanding of the present invention, and are not intended to limit the present invention. Moreover, the above-described embodiments do not limit the use of the present invention, and the present invention may include anything as its use. The components of the above-described embodiments, as well as their arrangement, materials, conditions, shapes, sizes, etc., are not limited to those exemplified, and can be changed as appropriate. For example, the present invention includes differences that occur in the implementation of manufacturing tolerances, etc. Furthermore, the components shown in different embodiments can be partially replaced or combined with each other within a range that is not technically contradictory. Furthermore, each configuration can be appropriately and selectively combined so as to achieve at least a part of the above-described problems and effects.

[0088] For example, the application of the conductive structure according to the present invention is not limited to the transaxle of an eAxle, but can be provided in various differential mechanisms in which the formation of a conductive path for discharge or the like is effective. [Explanation of symbols]

[0089] 1 conductive structure, 2 closing member (sealing structure), 3 conductive path member, 4 conductive path, 5 first body portion, 6 second body portion, 7 gap,10 reinforcing ring, 11 cylindrical portion, 11a fitting portion, 11b support portion, 11c step portion, 12 lip support portion, 20 elastic portion, 21 seal lip, 22 base portion, 22a inner peripheral end, 23 gasket portion, 23a outer peripheral surface, 24 support portion, 24a outer peripheral surface, 30 support ring, 31 cylindrical portion, 31a inner peripheral surface, 31b outer peripheral surface, 31c end, 32 support portion, 33 side lip support portion, 40 elastic portion, 41 side lip, 41a inner peripheral surface, 41b tip portion, 42 base portion, 43 groove, 50 conductive member, 50a inner peripheral end, 50b outer peripheral end, 51 contact side surface, 52 back surface, 53 inner peripheral end portion, 60 metal ring (metal member), 61 cylindrical portion, 62 Contact portion, 62a, 62b side surface, 62c inner peripheral end, 63 fitting portion, 63a inner peripheral surface, 63b outer peripheral surface, 63c end, 64 contact end portion, 64a outer peripheral surface, 65 step portion, 70 support member, 70a inner peripheral end, 70b outer peripheral end, 71 pressing side surface, 72 back surface, 73 inner peripheral end portion, 100 differential gear, 101 housing, 102 shaft hole, 102a inner peripheral surface, 110 output shaft, 110a outer peripheral surface, 111 deflector, 112 surface, 120 gap, x-axis line

Claims

1. A conductive structure forming a conductive path in the annular gap, a closing member annular about an axis for closing the gap; a conductive path member annular about the axis that forms the conductive path, The closing member has a sealing structure for sealing the gap, and includes a first body portion that is an annular portion around the axis line, and a second body portion that is an annular portion around the axis line, the first main body portion has a reinforcing ring which is a member annular about the axis line, and an elastic body portion which is a member formed of an elastic material annular about the axis line and attached to the reinforcing ring, the second main body portion has a support ring which is an annular member around the axis line, and an elastic body portion which is an annular member formed of an elastic material around the axis line and attached to the support ring, the conductive path member radially penetrates the closing member between the first body portion and the second body portion and is exposed on an outer circumferential side and an inner circumferential side, The conductive path member, the first body portion, and the second body portion are integral with each other, The support ring of the second main body portion covers the first main body portion from an outer circumferential side via the conductive path member. Conductive structure.

2. The support ring of the second main body portion covers the elastic body portion of the first main body portion from an outer circumferential side via the conductive path member. The conductive structure of claim 1 .

3. a portion of the support ring of the second main body portion covering the elastic body portion of the first main body portion and the elastic body portion of the first main body portion face each other in the axial direction with an annular gap therebetween, The conductive path member has an annular outer peripheral end portion around the axis, the outer peripheral end of the conductive path member is located in the gap between the support ring of the second main body portion and the elastic body portion of the first main body portion and is exposed on the outer peripheral side; The conductive structure of claim 2 .

4. the outer peripheral end of the conductive path member is not in contact with the support ring of the second body portion and the elastic body portion of the first body portion in the gap between the support ring of the second body portion and the elastic body portion of the first body portion; The conductive structure of claim 3.

5. The support ring of the second main body portion has a cylindrical portion that is a cylindrical portion along the axis line on an outer circumferential side, The reinforcing ring of the first main body portion has a cylindrical portion that is a cylindrical portion along the axis line on an outer circumferential side, The cylindrical portion of the reinforcing ring is covered with the elastic body portion, The cylindrical portion of the support ring is fitted to a part of the elastic body portion that covers the cylindrical portion of the reinforcing ring via the conductive path member. The conductive structure of claim 2 .

6. the conductive path member includes a conductive member that is an annular member having electrical conductivity around the axis line, and a metal member that is an annular member formed of a metal material around the axis line, a portion of the conductive member and a portion of the metal member overlap in the axial direction, the conductive member has an annular inner peripheral end portion around the axis of the conductive path member, The end portion on the inner periphery side is adapted to come into contact with a member on the inner periphery side that forms the annular gap, the metal member has an annular outer peripheral end portion around the axis of the conductive path member, The outer peripheral end portion is adapted to come into contact with an outer peripheral member that forms the annular gap. The conductive structure of claim 1 .

7. The gap is a gap between a through hole and an axis passing through the through hole. The conductive structure of claim 1 .

8. the gap is a gap between a through hole and a shaft passing through the through hole, The elastic body portion of the first main body portion has an annular seal lip that contacts the shaft, The elastic body portion of the second main body portion has an annular side lip extending toward a side opposite to the first main body portion in the axial direction, The side lip has a diameter that increases toward the opposite side in the axial direction. The conductive structure of claim 1 .

9. Used in differential devices, The through hole is provided in a housing of the differential device, The shaft is an output shaft of the differential device. The conductive structure according to claim 7 or 8.

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