Sealing element and magnetorheological fluid damper

Abstract

The invention relates to a sealing element and a magnetorheological fluid damper. The sealing piece comprises a rigid annular piece and an elastic sealing ring. The elastic sealing ring is fixed on the rigid annular piece; the elastic sealing ring comprises a main sealing lip extending towards the radial inner side, and the surface, facing the radial inner side, of the main sealing lip is provided with an annular groove formed in the circumferential direction. The sealing element is applied to the magnetorheological fluid damper, iron powder on the oil liquid side can be collected and stored through the grooves, and therefore the abrasion resistance of the sealing element is improved, the sealing performance is improved, the risk of leakage is reduced, and the service life of the sealing element is prolonged.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of sealing technology. Specifically, the present invention relates to a seal and a magnetorheological fluid damper. Background Art

[0002] At present, magnetorheological fluid dampers have the performance of rapid response and can be applied to various vibration damping devices and structures, such as vehicle shock absorbers, building shock absorbers, and industrial shock absorbers. A magnetorheological fluid damper includes a cylinder block, a magnetorheological fluid solenoid valve, a floating piston, a sealing guide rail, and a piston rod. Among them, the sealing guide rail divides the cylinder block into an inner oil side and an outer side communicating with the outside. The inner oil side of the cylinder block has damping fluid, and the damping fluid is composed of hydraulic oil and iron powder.

[0003] A seal is provided between the sealing guide rail and the piston rod, but the iron powder in the hydraulic oil will accelerate the wear of the seal, thereby causing leakage failure problems. Summary of the Invention

[0004] To solve the above technical problems, the present invention provides a seal and a magnetorheological fluid damper.

[0005] An embodiment of the present invention provides a seal for a magnetorheological fluid damper, including: a rigid annular member and an elastic sealing ring. The elastic sealing ring is fixed to the rigid annular member; wherein, the elastic sealing ring includes a main sealing lip extending towards the radially inner side, and the surface of the main sealing lip towards the radially inner side has a circumferentially arranged annular groove.

[0006] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the elastic sealing ring further includes a dust-proof lip extending towards the radially inner side.

[0007] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the surface of the dust-proof lip towards the radially inner side has a circumferentially arranged annular groove.

[0008] According to an embodiment of the present invention, a plurality of the grooves are provided.

[0009] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the groove is a V-shaped groove.

[0010] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the groove includes a first side wall and a second side wall on both axial sides, the surface of the first side wall in contact with the lip surface is an obtuse angle, and the surface of the second side wall in contact with the lip surface is perpendicular or an acute angle.

[0011] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the main sealing lip and the dust-proof lip extend at an angle towards both axial sides respectively.

[0012] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the main sealing lip is thick and short relative to the dust-proof lip, and the dust-proof lip is long and thin relative to the main sealing lip.

[0013] An embodiment of the present invention further provides a magnetorheological fluid damper, comprising: a cylinder block, a piston rod, a magnetorheological fluid solenoid valve, a sealing guide rail, and a seal as described in any one of the above embodiments. The piston rod is disposed within the cylinder block and is capable of reciprocating axially within the cylinder block; the magnetorheological fluid solenoid valve is disposed at one end of the piston rod extending into the cylinder block; the sealing guide rail is disposed within the cylinder block, and the sealing guide rail has a through hole for guiding the piston rod to reciprocate axially within the cylinder block, and a sealed receiving cavity defined together with the piston rod; the seal is disposed in the radial direction within the sealed receiving cavity between the sealing guide rail and the piston rod.

[0014] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the groove of the seal includes a first side wall axially close to the oil side and a second side wall away from the oil side. The surface of the first side wall forms an obtuse angle with the lip contact surface, and the second side wall is perpendicular or forms an acute angle with the lip contact surface.

[0015] By adopting the seal of the present invention, it is applied to a magnetorheological fluid damper. By providing an annular groove on the surface of the main seal lip facing radially inward, the groove can collect and store iron powder in the damping fluid on the oil side, thereby reducing the wear of the iron powder on the main seal lip. The elastic seal ring further provides a dust-proof lip on the side of the main seal lip facing away from the oil side. The surface of the dust-proof lip facing radially inward is provided with an annular groove, so as to further collect and store the iron powder flowing into the space between the main seal lip and the dust-proof lip, reducing the wear of the iron powder on the dust-proof lip. Thereby further improving the wear resistance of the seal, improving the sealing performance, reducing the risk of leakage problems, and prolonging the service life of the seal.

[0016] In addition, the included angle between the first side wall and the lip contact surface is an obtuse angle greater than 90 degrees, which is beneficial for the iron powder on the oil side to enter the groove along the first side wall. The included angle between the second side wall and the lip contact surface is an acute angle less than 90 degrees or a right angle equal to 90 degrees, which is beneficial for the iron powder collected in the groove to be stored and retained in the groove and not easily thrown out. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention, the following will briefly introduce the drawings required for the description of the embodiments of the present invention. Obviously, the drawings in the following description are only some embodiments of the present invention. For those of ordinary skill in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative efforts.

[0018] Figure 1 Shows a cross-sectional view of a magnetorheological fluid damper according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0019] Figure 2 shows Figure 1 an enlarged schematic view of region A of the magnetorheological fluid damper in

[0020] Figure 3 a partial cross-sectional view of a seal according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0021] Figure 4 an enlarged partial schematic view of the main sealing lip according to an embodiment of the present invention; and

[0022] Figure 5 an enlarged partial schematic view of the dust-proof lip according to an embodiment of the present invention. Detailed Embodiments

[0023] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the embodiments of the present disclosure clearer, the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present disclosure will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings of the embodiments of the present disclosure. Apparently, the described embodiments are some, but not all, of the embodiments of the present invention. All other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art based on the described embodiments of the present invention fall within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0024] A magnetorheological fluid damper is a device that can change its damping characteristics according to the change in the external magnetic field strength, and it includes a magnetorheological fluid solenoid valve. The magnetorheological fluid solenoid valve can apply an external magnetic field to the magnetorheological fluid inside the magnetorheological fluid damper, and by adjusting the external magnetic field strength, the damping characteristics of the magnetorheological fluid damper can be further adjusted. The magnetorheological fluid damper is widely used in industries such as aerospace, aviation, military, and automobiles.

[0025] Figure 1 shows a cross-sectional view of a magnetorheological fluid damper according to an embodiment of the present invention. As Figure 1 shown, the magnetorheological fluid damper includes: a cylinder block 10, a piston rod 20, a magnetorheological fluid solenoid valve 30, a sealing guide rail 40, and a seal 50. The piston rod 20 is disposed inside the cylinder block 10 and can reciprocate axially inside the cylinder block 10; the magnetorheological fluid solenoid valve 30 is disposed at one end of the piston rod 20 extending into the cylinder block 10; the sealing guide rail 40 is disposed inside the cylinder block, and the sealing guide rail 40 has a through hole 41 for guiding the piston rod 20 to reciprocate axially inside the cylinder block 10, and a sealing receiving cavity 42 defined together with the piston rod 20; the seal 50 is disposed in the radial direction between the sealing guide rail 40 and the piston rod 20 in the sealing receiving cavity 42.

[0026] Specifically, Figure 2 shows Figure 1An enlarged schematic view of region A of the magnetorheological fluid damper. In combination with Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the sealing guide rail 40 divides the cylinder block 10 into an inner oil side (such as the left side of the sealing guide rail 40 as described in Figure 1 ) and an outer side communicating with the outside (such as the left side of the sealing guide rail 40 as described in Figure 1 ). The inner oil side of the cylinder block 10 is filled with damping fluid, which is composed of hydraulic oil and iron powder. The seal 50 is disposed radially between the sealing guide rail 40 and the piston rod 20 to form a dynamic seal between the sealing guide rail 40 and the piston rod 20 and seal the damping fluid on the oil side inside the cylinder block 10.

[0027] An embodiment of the present invention provides a seal for a magnetorheological fluid damper. Figure 3 Fig. shows a partial cross-sectional view of the seal 50 according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in Figure 3 , the seal 50 includes a rigid annular member 51 and an elastic sealing ring 52. The outer radial side of the rigid annular member 51 is disposed on the sealing guide rail 40, and the elastic sealing ring 52 is fixed to the rigid annular member 51. Generally, the elastic sealing ring 52 is substantially formed on the inner radial side of the rigid annular member 51.

[0028] Further, the elastic sealing ring 52 includes a main sealing lip 521 that extends substantially towards the inner radial side, and the surface of the main sealing lip 521 facing the inner radial side has a circumferentially arranged annular groove 53.

[0029] Optionally, as shown in Figure 3 , the rigid annular member 51 may include a radially extending portion 511 and an axially extending portion 512. The radially extending portion 511 is disposed on the outer radial side of the axially extending portion 512. The radially extending portion 511 is fixed to the inner radial side of the sealing guide rail 40. The elastic sealing ring 52 is fixed to one end of the inner radial side of the radially extending portion 511.

[0030] In some alternative embodiments, the elastic sealing ring 52 further includes a base 523, which is fixed to the inner radial side of the rigid annular member 51; specifically, as shown in Figure 3 , the base 523 may be fixed to the radially extending portion 511. The main sealing lip 521 extends substantially towards the inner radial side from the base 523 to form a free end facing the inner radial side.

[0031] See Figures 1 to 3As shown, the main sealing lip 521 contacts the radially outer side surface of the piston rod 20. As the piston rod 20 reciprocates in the axial direction, the main sealing lip 521 can form a dynamic seal relative to the piston rod 20 in the axial direction. The groove 53 can collect and store iron powder in the damping liquid on the oil side, thereby reducing the wear of the iron powder on the main sealing lip 521.

[0032] In some alternative embodiments, the elastic sealing ring 52 further includes a dust-proof lip 522 extending toward the radially inner side. The surface of the dust-proof lip 522 facing the radially inner side has a circumferentially arranged annular groove 53.

[0033] Specifically, as Figure 3 shown, the dust-proof lip 522 extends from the base 523 toward the radially inner side to form a free end facing the radially inner side. Moreover, the dust-proof lip 522 can be arranged on the side of the main sealing lip 521 facing away from the oil side, such that the damping liquid in the oil side is first sealed by the main sealing lip 521, and a small amount of the damping liquid enters the space between the main sealing lip 521 and the dust-proof lip 522, and can be further sealed by the dust-proof lip 522.

[0034] See Figures 1 to 3 shown, the dust-proof lip 522 contacts the radially outer side surface of the piston rod 20. As the piston rod 20 reciprocates in the axial direction, the dust-proof lip 522 can further block the outflow of a small amount of the damping liquid passing through the main sealing lip 521, so that the dust-proof lip 522 can further form a dynamic seal relative to the piston rod 20 in the axial direction. And the groove 53 can collect and store the iron powder in the damping liquid entering between the main sealing lip 521 and the dust-proof lip 522, thereby reducing the wear of the iron powder on the dust-proof lip 522.

[0035] In some alternative embodiments, as Figure 3 shown, a plurality of grooves 53 are provided in the main sealing lip 521 and the dust-proof lip 522.

[0036] By providing a plurality of grooves 53 in the main sealing lip 521 and the dust-proof lip 522, multi-channel sealing and interception of the damping liquid and the iron powder in the damping liquid can be carried out, the iron powder can be collected more effectively, the storage space for the iron powder can be increased, which is beneficial to improving the sealing effect of the seal 50.

[0037] Specifically, Figure 4 shows a partial enlarged schematic view of the main sealing lip 521 according to an embodiment of the present invention; and Figure 5 shows a partial enlarged schematic view of the dust-proof lip 522 according to an embodiment of the present invention. As Figure 4 and Figure 5As shown, the groove 53 is a V-shaped groove. The groove 53 includes a first side wall 53a and a second side wall 53b on both axial sides. The first side wall 53a forms an obtuse angle with the surface of the lip contact surface, and the second side wall 53b is perpendicular or forms an acute angle with the surface of the lip contact surface.

[0038] More specifically, in combination with Figures 1 to 4 As shown, on the radial inner side of the sealing lip 521, there is a main sealing lip contact surface 521a for contacting and sealing with the piston rod 20. The surface of the main sealing lip contact surface 521a forms a V-shaped groove 53. Among the two side walls of the groove 53, the side wall close to the oil side is the first side wall 53a, and the side wall far from the oil side is the second side wall 53b. The angle β between the first side wall 53a and the main sealing lip contact surface 521a is an obtuse angle greater than 90 degrees, which is beneficial for iron powder on the oil side to enter the groove 53 along the first side wall 53a. The angle α between the second side wall 53b and the main sealing lip contact surface 521a is an acute angle less than 90 degrees or a right angle equal to 90 degrees, which is beneficial for the iron powder collected in the groove 53 to be stored and retained in the groove 53 and not easily thrown out.

[0039] Similarly, in combination with Figures 1 to 3 and Figure 5 As shown, on the radial inner side of the dust-proof lip 522, there is a dust-proof lip contact surface 522a for contacting and sealing with the piston rod 20. The surface of the dust-proof lip contact surface 522a forms a V-shaped groove 53. Among the two side walls of the groove 53, the side wall close to the oil side is the first side wall 53a, and the side wall far from the oil side is the second side wall 53b. The angle β between the first side wall 53a and the dust-proof lip contact surface 522a is an obtuse angle greater than 90 degrees, which is beneficial for iron powder on the oil side to enter the groove 53 along the first side wall 53a. The angle α between the second side wall 53b and the dust-proof lip contact surface 522a is an acute angle less than 90 degrees or a right angle equal to 90 degrees, which is beneficial for the iron powder collected in the groove 53 to be stored and retained in the groove 53 and not easily thrown out.

[0040] In some alternative embodiments, the elastic sealing ring 52 is made of an elastic material. Specifically, the elastic sealing ring 52 can be made of, for example, a rubber material, so that the main sealing lip 521 and the dust-proof lip 522 can undergo elastic deformation to closely fit the radial outer surface of the piston rod 20 to ensure the sealing effect of the seal 50.

[0041] In some alternative embodiments, the base 523, the main sealing lip 521, and the dust-proof lip 522 can be integrally formed by molding, for example.

[0042] In some alternative embodiments, as Figure 3As shown, the main sealing lip 521 and the dust-proof lip 522 extend at an angle towards the two axial sides respectively. When the piston rod 20 reciprocates relative to the sealing guide rail 40 in the axial direction, it is ensured that the main sealing lip 521 and the dust-proof lip 522 are always in close contact with the radial outer surface of the piston rod 20, so as to ensure the sealing effect of the seal 50.

[0043] Optionally, as Figure 3 shown, the main sealing lip 521 is shorter and thicker than the dust-proof lip 522, and the dust-proof lip 522 is longer and thinner than the main sealing lip 521. That is to say, the extension length of the main sealing lip 521 is shorter than that of the dust-proof lip 522, and the thickness of the main sealing lip 521 in the direction perpendicular to the extension direction is greater than that of the dust-proof lip 522. In this way, when the seal moves axially relative to the piston rod 20, the main sealing lip 521 is less likely to turn and deform compared with the dust-proof lip 522, while the dust-proof lip 522 is more likely to deform and can better fit the radial outer surface of the piston rod 20, but it is also more likely to turn over. Therefore, when installing the seal, the main sealing lip 521 is in the front and is first sleeved on the piston rod 20, and the dust-proof lip 522 is in the back and is sleeved on the piston rod 20 later, so as to avoid the turning of the sealing lip, especially the dust-proof lip 522, during the installation process. Through the above structural settings of the main sealing lip 521 and the dust-proof lip 522, the advantages of the sealing and fitting performance of the seal and the prevention of the turning of the sealing lip can be taken into account.

[0044] The embodiment of the present invention also provides a magnetorheological fluid damper. As Figure 1 shown, the magnetorheological fluid damper includes: a cylinder block 10, a piston rod 20, a magnetorheological fluid solenoid valve 30, a sealing guide rail 40, and a seal 50 as described in any one of the above embodiments. The specific structure of the magnetorheological fluid damper is as described above and will not be elaborated here.

[0045] In some alternative embodiments, a plurality of the seals 50 are provided. As Figure 2 shown, two seals 50 are provided between the sealing guide rail 40 and the piston rod 20 and are arranged along the axial direction of the relative movement of the piston rod 20 to further enhance the sealing effect of the seal 50 on the damping fluid on the oil side in the cylinder block 10.

[0046] It should be noted that the present invention aims to improve the sealing lip in the seal, so the technical solution of the present invention can be applied to various seals, and is not limited to the specific components of the specific seal shown in the embodiment. The number, shape and arrangement of the main sealing lip and the dust lip are not limited to the limitations in the above description. In addition, the present invention can also be applied to other non-annular seals for dynamic sealing.

[0047] Although possible embodiments are described by way of example in the above description, it should be understood that there are still a large number of variations of embodiments through the combination of all known and other technical features and embodiments that are easily conceivable to the skilled person. It should also be understood that the exemplary embodiment is only an example and that such an embodiment in no way limits the scope of protection, application and configuration of the present invention. The above description is more to provide the skilled person with a technical guide for converting at least one exemplary embodiment, wherein various changes can be made, especially changes in the functions and structures of the components, as long as they do not depart from the scope of protection of the claims.

[0048] List of reference numerals

[0049] 10. Cylinder body;

[0050] 20. Piston rod;

[0051] 30. Magnetorheological fluid solenoid valve;

[0052] 40. Sealed guide rail; 41. Through hole; 42. Sealed receiving cavity;

[0053] 50. Sealing member; 51. Rigid annular member; 511. Radial extension; 512. Axial extension; 52. Elastic sealing ring; 521. Main sealing lip; 521a. Main sealing lip contact surface; 522. Dust lip; 522a. Dust lip contact surface; 523. Base;

[0054] 53. Groove; 53a. First side wall; 53b. Second side wall.

Claims

1. A seal for a magnetorheological fluid damper, characterized in that, Comprising: A rigid annular member (51); And An elastic sealing ring (52) fixed to the rigid annular member (51); wherein, the elastic sealing ring (52) includes a main sealing lip (521) extending towards the radially inner side, and the surface of the main sealing lip (521) towards the radially inner side has a circumferentially arranged annular groove (53).

2. The seal according to claim 1, wherein The elastic sealing ring (52) further includes a dust-proof lip (522) extending towards the radially inner side.

3. The seal according to claim 2, characterized in that, The surface of the dust-proof lip (522) towards the radially inner side has a circumferentially arranged annular groove (53).

4. The seal according to claim 1, wherein A plurality of the grooves (53) are provided.

5. The seal according to claim 1, characterized in that, The groove (53) is a V-shaped groove.

6. The seal according to claim 5, characterized in that, The groove (53) includes a first side wall (53a) and a second side wall (53b) on both axial sides, the surface of the first side wall (53a) and the lip contact surface forms an obtuse angle, and the surface of the second side wall (53b) and the lip contact surface is perpendicular or forms an acute angle.

7. The seal according to claim 2, characterized in that, The main sealing lip (521) and the dust-proof lip (522) extend at an angle towards both axial sides respectively.

8. The seal according to claim 7, characterized in that, The main sealing lip (521) is thick and short relative to the dust-proof lip (522), and the dust-proof lip (522) is long and thin relative to the main sealing lip (521).

9. A magnetorheological fluid damper, characterized in that, Comprising: A cylinder block (10); A piston rod (20) disposed within the cylinder block (10) and capable of reciprocating axially within the cylinder block (10); A magnetorheological fluid solenoid valve (30) disposed at one end of the piston rod (20) extending into the cylinder block (10); A sealing guide rail (40) disposed within the cylinder block, the sealing guide rail (40) having a through hole (41) for guiding the piston rod (20) to reciprocate axially within the cylinder block (10), and a sealing accommodation cavity (42) defined together with the piston rod (20); and A seal (50) according to any one of claims 1-8, radially disposed within the sealing accommodation cavity (42) between the sealing guide rail (40) and the piston rod (20).

10. The magnetorheological fluid damper according to claim 9, wherein, The groove (53) of the seal (50) includes a first side wall (53a) axially close to the oil side and a second side wall (53b) away from the oil side, the surface of the first side wall (53a) and the lip contact surface forms an obtuse angle, and the surface of the second side wall (53b) and the lip contact surface is perpendicular or forms an acute angle.

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