Bearing seal
By using a combined structure of conductive fiber bundles and conductive rubber in rolling bearings, the problems of increased sliding torque and unstable conductivity caused by electrical corrosion in rolling bearings are solved, achieving stable conductivity and cost control.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- CN202380092438.4
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Applications(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Priority Date
- 2023-02-17
- Filing Date
- 2023-12-06
- Publication Date
- 2025-09-05
AI Technical Summary
The electrolytic corrosion problem of existing rolling bearings leads to increased sliding torque and unstable conductivity, and existing solutions have problems such as high manufacturing costs or great technical difficulties.
A conductive fiber bundle sandwiched by a first metal plate and a second metal plate is used as a sliding component. The extended protrusion of the conductive fiber bundle contacts the inner ring or outer ring to ensure conductivity, and contacts the outer ring or inner ring through conductive rubber to stabilize the conductive performance.
Without increasing the sliding torque, stable conductive performance is achieved, the manufacturing cost is reduced, and the difficulty of manufacturing the sliding parts is avoided.
Smart Images
Figure CN120604047A_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] The present invention relates to a bearing seal for preventing electrical corrosion of a rolling bearing. Background Art
[0002] For example, in electric vehicle motors and reducer units, as well as inverter-driven motors outside of electric vehicles, current can leak and flow toward the rotating shaft. In these cases, the current can disrupt the lubricating oil film in the rolling bearings supporting the rotating shaft, flowing between the inner and outer rings and causing damage to the rolling surfaces of the rolling elements due to arcing.
[0003] As a bearing seal for preventing electrolytic corrosion in rolling bearings, there is a type of bearing seal in which a conductive sliding member is held and supported between two annular metal plate members (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2). In the bearing seal of Patent Document 1, the sliding member is an annular conductive rubber, while in the bearing seal of Patent Document 2, the sliding member is an annular plain woven fabric in which conductive fibers and low-friction fibers are interwoven.
[0004] Patent Document 1: Japanese Utility Model Application Laid-Open No. 6-73457
[0005] Patent Document 2: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2010-106971
[0006] When an annular conductive rubber is used as the sliding member, as in the bearing seal disclosed in Patent Document 1, there is the problem of increased sliding torque. Typically, in sliding applications using rubber, a lubricant such as grease is interposed between the sliding surfaces to reduce torque. This creates a fluid lubrication state, reducing the contact area between the conductive rubber and the sliding surface and resulting in unstable electrical conductivity.
[0007] When a circular plain-woven fabric incorporating conductive fibers and low-friction fibers is used as the sliding member, as in the bearing seal of Patent Document 2, the sliding member is a combination of conductive and non-conductive fibers, resulting in a non-conductive surface and, therefore, sometimes electrical conductivity cannot be ensured. Furthermore, achieving the desired electrical conductivity and low friction by combining conductive and low-friction fibers to form a plain-woven fabric is technically difficult, increasing manufacturing costs. Summary of the Invention
[0008] An object of the present invention is to provide a bearing seal for preventing electrolytic corrosion of a rolling bearing, which can stably ensure electrical conductivity without increasing sliding torque and without increasing manufacturing costs.
[0009] To address the above-mentioned issues, the present invention relates to a bearing seal for a rolling bearing comprising an outer ring, an inner ring, and rolling elements. The bearing seal comprises: an annular first metal plate and a second metal plate; and a sliding member sandwiched between the first and second metal plates. One or both of the first and second metal plates are in contact with the outer ring, or conductive rubber covering radially outer portions of the first and second metal plates and extending radially outward is in contact with the outer ring. The sliding member is a conductive fiber bundle. The distal end of the extended portion of the conductive fiber bundle, which extends radially inward from the radially inner ends of the first and second metal plates, is in contact with the inner ring.
[0010] To address the aforementioned issues, the present invention relates to a bearing seal for a rolling bearing comprising an outer ring, an inner ring, and rolling elements. The bearing seal comprises: an annular first metal plate and a second metal plate; and a sliding member sandwiched between the first and second metal plates. One or both of the first and second metal plates are in contact with the inner ring, or conductive rubber covering radially inner portions of the first and second metal plates and extending radially inwardly is in contact with the inner ring. The sliding member is a conductive fiber bundle. The distal end of the extended portion of the conductive fiber bundle, extending radially outward from the radially outer ends of the first and second metal plates, is in contact with the outer ring.
[0011] In the bearing seal structure described above, the sliding member sandwiched between the first and second metal plates is a conductive fiber bundle, and the distal end of the extended portion of the conductive fiber bundle slides on the inner or outer ring. This ensures that the conductive fiber bundle, which serves as the sliding member sliding on the inner or outer ring, remains conductive regardless of where it contacts the inner or outer ring, ensuring reliable electrical conductivity.
[0012] Therefore, compared to the case of Patent Document 1, where the sliding member is an annular conductive rubber, the sliding torque can be significantly reduced, and stable conductive performance can be achieved. Furthermore, compared to Patent Document 2, where the sliding member is an annular plain-woven fabric in which conductive fibers and low-friction fibers are interwoven, stable conductive performance can be achieved, and the manufacturing process is simple and easy, without increasing manufacturing costs.
[0013] As described above, according to the bearing seal of the present invention, in the bearing seal for preventing electrical corrosion of a rolling bearing, the sliding member sandwiched between the first metal plate and the second metal plate is a conductive fiber bundle, thereby being able to stably ensure conductivity without increasing the sliding torque and without increasing the manufacturing cost. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0014] Figure 1 This is a partially cutaway perspective view of a rolling bearing according to an embodiment of the present invention, showing an example in which a first metal plate contacts an outer ring and a distal end of an extended portion of a conductive fiber bundle serving as a sliding member contacts an inner ring.
[0015] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 An enlarged longitudinal sectional view of the main parts of a rolling bearing.
[0016] Figure 3 When viewed from the direction of the rotation center axis Figure 1 The figure is obtained for the rolling bearing.
[0017] Figure 4 This is an enlarged longitudinal sectional view of the main parts of the rolling bearing involved in an embodiment of the present invention, showing an example of the following situation: the inner ring that the front end of the extended protrusion of the conductive fiber bundle serving as a sliding component contacts is not a cylinder serving as the outer peripheral surface in the width direction, but an inclined surface approaching the radial outside as it approaches the inner side in the width direction.
[0018] Figure 5 This is a partially sectional stereoscopic view of a rolling bearing according to an embodiment of the present invention, showing an example in which a conductive rubber covering the radially outer portions of the first and second metal plates and extending radially outward contacts the outer ring, and a leading end of an extended portion of a conductive fiber bundle serving as a sliding member contacts the inner ring.
[0019] Figure 6 yes Figure 5 An enlarged longitudinal sectional view of the main parts of a rolling bearing.
[0020] Figure 7 When viewed from the direction of the rotation center axis Figure 5 The figure is obtained for the rolling bearing. DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0021] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
[0022] In this specification, the rotation center axis of the rolling bearing (for example, Figure 1 and Figure 3 The direction parallel to the direction of the reference numeral O) is referred to as the "width direction" (for example, referring to Figure 1 and Figure 2 The direction perpendicular to the direction of the central axis of rotation is called the “radial direction” (e.g., referring to Figure 2 and Figure 3 The “circumferential direction” is defined relative to the direction of the central axis of rotation (e.g., referring to Figure 1 and Figure 3 arrow C).
[0023] In this specification, the center of the rolling bearing in the width direction (for example, Figure 2 The width direction of the reference numeral D) is referred to as the "inner side in the width direction" (for example, referring to Figure 2 The width direction away from the center of the width direction is referred to as the "outer side of the width direction" (for example, refer to Figure 2 The radial direction close to the above-mentioned rotation center axis is referred to as the "radial inner side" (for example, referring to Figure 2 The radial direction away from the above-mentioned rotation center axis is called the "radial outer side" (for example, refer to Figure 2 Arrow RO).
[0024] [Rolling bearings]
[0025] Figures 1 to 7 The rolling bearing A shown includes an outer ring 11, an inner ring 12, rolling elements 13, a retainer 14, and a bearing seal 1. The rolling elements 13 roll between the raceway surfaces of the outer ring 11 and the raceway surfaces of the inner ring 12. The retainer 14 guides the rolling elements 13 at predetermined intervals and retains them rotatably.
[0026] [Bearing seals]
[0027] Figures 1 to 7 The bearing seal 1 shown in the figure comprises: an annular first metal plate 2A and a second metal plate 2B, and a sliding member 3 sandwiched between the first metal plate 2A and the second metal plate 2B. Figure 3 and Figure 6 As shown, the sliding members 3 extend in the radial direction R and are arranged at substantially equal intervals in the circumferential direction C, for example.
[0028] The sliding member 3 is a conductive fiber bundle 4. The conductive fibers may be carbon fibers or metal-coated chemical fibers. The metal coating the chemical fibers may be copper, silver, and / or nickel. The carbon fibers may also be reinforced by mixing polyester resin or polyvinyl chloride resin.
[0029] Tips 6A of the extended portions 6 of the conductive fiber bundles 4 extending toward the inner sides RI in the radial direction R from the inner ends 5 in the radial direction R of the first and second metal plates 2A, 2B are in contact with the inner ring 12 .
[0030] exist Figures 1 to 4 In the bearing seal 1 shown, the first metal plate 2A enters the retaining groove 11A of the outer ring 11, and the first metal plate 2A contacts the outer ring 11. It is sufficient to make one or both of the first metal plate 2A and the second metal plate 2B contact the outer ring 11. Figures 5 to 7In the bearing seal 1 shown, the conductive rubber 7 covering the radially outer side RO of the first metal plate 2A and the second metal plate 2B and extending outward RO in the radial direction R enters the retaining groove 11A of the outer ring 11, and the conductive rubber 7 contacts the outer ring 11.
[0031] The conductive rubber 7 is made of conductive nitrile rubber (NBR), hydrogenated nitrile rubber (HNBR), acrylic rubber (ACM), silicone rubber (VQM), fluororubber (FKM), ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM), or the like.
[0032] exist Figures 1 to 7 In the embodiment shown, Figure 3 and Figure 7 As shown, eight sliding members 3, each serving as conductive fiber bundles 4, are arranged at approximately equal intervals in the circumferential direction C. The present invention is not limited to this configuration. Specifically, the number of sliding members 3 is not limited; any portion of the sliding member 3 along the circumference of the inner ring 12 is sufficient, and the sliding members 3 may be connected along the entire circumference.
[0033] exist Figures 1 to 7 In the embodiment shown, Figure 2 and Figure 6 In the example shown, the front end 6A of the extended protrusion 6 of the conductive fiber bundle 4 as the sliding member 3 contacts the cylindrical surface of the inner ring 12 as the outer peripheral surface in the width direction B. The present invention is not limited to such a structure. Figure 4 As shown, the front end 6A of the extended portion 6 of the conductive fiber bundle 4 may be brought into contact with the inclined surface of the inner ring 12 which approaches the radially outer side RO as it goes toward the widthwise inner side BI.
[0034] Figures 1 to 7 The bearing seal 1 shown is of an inner ring sliding type in which the sliding member 3 slides on the outer peripheral surface of the inner ring 12. The present invention is not limited to such a structure, and an outer ring sliding type may also be employed.
[0035] In the case of the outer ring sliding type, one or both of the first metal plate 2A and the second metal plate are in contact with the inner ring 12, or the conductive rubber covering the inner side RI of the first metal plate 2A and the second metal plate 2B in the radial direction R and extending inward RI of the radial direction R is in contact with the inner ring 12. Furthermore, the distal end of the extended portion of the conductive fiber bundle 4 extending from the outer ends in the radial direction R toward the outer side RO of the radial direction R of the first metal plate 2A and the second metal plate 2B is in contact with the outer ring 11.
[0036] [Effects]
[0037] According to the structure of the bearing seal 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention, the sliding member 3 sandwiched between the first metal plate 2A and the second metal plate 2B is a conductive fiber bundle 4, and the tip of the extended portion 6 of the conductive fiber bundle 4 slides on the inner ring 12 or the outer ring 11. As a result, the conductive fiber bundle 4, which serves as the sliding member 3 sliding on the inner ring 12 or the outer ring 11, maintains conductivity regardless of where it comes into contact with the inner ring 12 or the outer ring 11, ensuring proper conductivity.
[0038] Therefore, compared to the case of Patent Document 1, where the sliding member is an annular conductive rubber, the sliding torque can be significantly reduced, and stable conductive performance can be achieved. Furthermore, compared to Patent Document 2, where the sliding member is an annular plain-woven fabric in which conductive fibers and low-friction fibers are interwoven, stable conductive performance can be achieved, and the manufacturing process is simple and easy, without increasing manufacturing costs.
[0039] The above embodiments are described for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to be limiting. Various improvements and modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.
[0040] Description of Reference Numerals
[0041] 1…bearing seal; 2A…first metal plate; 2B…second metal plate; 3…sliding member; 4…conductive fiber bundle; 5…radial inner end; 6…extended protrusion; 6A…front end; 7…conductive rubber; 11…outer ring; 11A…retaining groove; 12…inner ring; 13…rolling element; 14…retainer; A…rolling bearing; B…width direction; BI…inside; BO…outside; C…circumferential direction; D…center in the width direction; R…radial direction; RI…inside; RO…outside.
Claims
1. A bearing seal for a rolling bearing comprising an outer ring, an inner ring, and rolling elements, characterized in that: have: a first annular metal plate and a second annular metal plate; and a sliding member sandwiched between the first metal plate and the second metal plate, One or both of the first metal plate and the second metal plate are in contact with the outer ring, or the conductive rubber covering the radially outer sides of the first metal plate and the second metal plate and extending outward in the radial direction is in contact with the outer ring. The sliding member is a conductive fiber bundle, The distal ends of the extended portions of the conductive fiber bundle extending radially inward from the radially inner ends of the first metal plate and the second metal plate are in contact with the inner ring.
2. A bearing seal for a rolling bearing comprising an outer ring, an inner ring, and rolling elements, characterized in that: have: a first annular metal plate and a second annular metal plate; and a sliding member sandwiched between the first metal plate and the second metal plate, One or both of the first metal plate and the second metal plate are in contact with the inner ring, or the conductive rubber covering the radially inner portions of the first metal plate and the second metal plate and extending radially inward is in contact with the inner ring. The sliding member is a conductive fiber bundle, The distal ends of the extended protrusions of the conductive fiber bundle extending radially outward from the radially outer ends of the first metal plate and the second metal plate are in contact with the outer ring.
Citation Information
Patent Citations
Production of cold rolled steel sheet excellent in punching property and formability
JP1994073457A
Rolling bearing
JP2010106971A