Bearing seal

Abstract

The present invention facilitates the production of a bearing seal for preventing electrolytic corrosion of a rolling bearing. A bearing seal (1) for a rolling bearing comprises an annular sealing ring (2). A seal ring (2) is provided with: a core bar (3) having a portion (3B) that is in contact with an outer ring (11); and an elastic body (4) joined to the surface of the outer side BO in the width direction of the core bar (3). The elastic body (4) has an inner diameter lip section (7) that extends toward the outer peripheral surface (12A) of the inner ring (12) and is inclined toward the outer side (BO) in the width direction as the elastic body approaches the outer peripheral surface (12A). And a conductive material (5) held by being sandwiched between the core bar (3) and the elastic body (4) by an inner diameter portion (D) extending in a substantially radial direction (R). The conductive member (5) has a portion in contact with the inner ring (12), and is in a circular ring shape located substantially in the same plane before the conductive member (5) is attached to the rolling bearing. In a state of being attached to the rolling bearing, the conductive member (5) pressed by the restoring force of the elastically deformed inner diameter lip portion (7) is in contact with the inner ring (12).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to bearing seals for preventing electrolytic corrosion of rolling bearings. Background Technology

[0002] For example, in motors and reducer units of electric vehicles, as well as inverter-driven motors other than electric vehicles, current sometimes leaks and flows to the rotating shaft. In this case, in the rolling bearings supporting the rotating shaft, the lubricating oil film is sometimes broken, and current flows between the outer and inner rings, causing damage to the rolling surfaces of the rolling elements due to electric arcing.

[0003] As a bearing seal to prevent electrolytic corrosion of such rolling bearings, there are bearing seals provided with conductive elements for making the outer ring and inner ring conductive (for example, see Patent Documents 1 and 2).

[0004] The bearing seal (seal A) in Patent Document 1 has an elastomer B and a reinforcing member 2, and a conductive member 3, which serves as the aforementioned conductive member, is embedded therein. Figure 1 ) or attachment ( Figure 2 Within the elastic body B, a conductive element 3 is connected to the fitting portion A1 that engages with the outer ring 1b and the sliding contact portion A2 that slides in contact with the inner ring 1a. The conductive element 3 can be a wire, sheet, or foil, etc.

[0005] The bearing seal (sealing assembly 04) of Patent Document 2 has a seal 05 consisting of an elastomer body 08 and a reinforcing member 09. An annular conductive member 14, serving as the conductive element, is attached to the seal 05. The outer diameter side of the conductive member 14 contacts the outer ring 02, and the inner diameter side of the conductive member 14 slides in contact with the inner ring 03 (FIG.1). The conductive member 14 is a component formed by embedding a conductive fiber fabric composed of carbon fiber, carbon fiber derivatives, metal fibers, or filled polymer fibers into the elastomer matrix; that is, a conductive elastomer.

[0006] In the sealing assembly 04, the conductive member 14 is located on the opposite side (outer side in the width direction) of the sealed space within the rolling bearing, and the radial outer and inner circumferences of the conductive member 14 are inclined outward in the width direction of the rolling bearing.

[0007] Patent documents Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 62-106125 Patent Document 2: US Patent No. 11,493,133 Summary of the Invention

[0008] The problem that the invention aims to solve In Patent Document 1, a bearing seal is constructed by embedding a conductive element, such as a wire, sheet, or foil material, within an elastomer. Figure 1In the case of the bearing seal (1) of Patent Document 1 in which the electrically conductive member as a wire, a plate, or a foil material or the like is attached to the elastic body, it is necessary to attach the electrically conductive member along the shape of the bearing seal having a relatively complicated shape and to connect the electrically conductive member in contact with the outer ring and the inner ring, and thus the manufacturing difficulty is high.

[0009] In the bearing seal (1) of Patent Document 1 in which the electrically conductive member as a wire, a plate, or a foil material or the like is attached to the elastic body, Figure 2 In the case of the bearing seal (1) of Patent Document 1 in which the electrically conductive member as a wire, a plate, or a foil material or the like is attached to the elastic body, it is necessary to attach the electrically conductive member along the shape of the bearing seal having a relatively complicated shape and to connect the electrically conductive member in contact with the outer ring and the inner ring, and thus the manufacturing difficulty is high.

[0010] In the case of the bearing seal (1) of Patent Document 1 in which the electrically conductive member as a wire, a plate, or a foil material or the like is attached to the elastic body, it is necessary to attach the electrically conductive member along the shape of the bearing seal having a relatively complicated shape and to connect the electrically conductive member in contact with the outer ring and the inner ring, and thus the manufacturing difficulty is high.

[0011] In the case of the bearing seal (1) of Patent Document 1 in which the electrically conductive member as a wire, a plate, or a foil material or the like is attached to the elastic body, it is necessary to attach the electrically conductive member along the shape of the bearing seal having a relatively complicated shape and to connect the electrically conductive member in contact with the outer ring and the inner ring, and thus the manufacturing difficulty is high.

[0012] In the bearing seal of Patent Document 2, the electrically conductive member is located on the opposite side (width direction outer side) of the sealed space in the rolling bearing, and the outer peripheral portion and the inner peripheral portion of the electrically conductive member are inclined to the width direction outer side in the radial direction. Therefore, there is a case where the electrically conductive member protrudes to the width direction outer side than the width direction end surface of the rolling bearing, and the rolling bearing in which the bearing seal can be used is limited.

[0013] An object of the present application is to make the manufacturing of the bearing seal that prevents the electric corrosion of the rolling bearing easy. In addition, in the bearing seal, an object is to reduce the electric resistance and to improve the electric conduction stability.

[0014] Means for solving the problem The bearing seal of the first aspect of the present application is a bearing seal for a rolling bearing including an outer ring, an inner ring, and rolling elements, and includes a seal ring in a toroidal shape. The seal ring has a core bone having a portion in contact with the outer ring, and an elastomer engaged with a face on a width direction outer side of the core bone. The elastomer has an inner diameter lip portion extending toward an outer peripheral surface of the inner ring, and inclined to a width direction outer side as approaching the outer peripheral surface. An electrically conductive member is held by being sandwiched by an inner diameter portion extending in a substantially radial direction between the core bone and the elastomer. The electrically conductive member has a portion in contact with the inner ring, and a shape in a state before being fitted to the rolling bearing is a toroidal shape lying in a substantially same plane. The electrically conductive member in contact with the inner ring by a restoring force of the inner diameter lip portion elastically deformed in a state of being fitted to the rolling bearing.

[0015] The bearing seal of the second aspect of the present application is a bearing seal for a rolling bearing including an outer ring, an inner ring, and rolling elements, and includes a seal ring in a toroidal shape. The seal ring has a core bone having a portion in contact with the outer ring, and an elastomer engaged with a face on a width direction outer side of the core bone. The elastomer has an inner diameter lip portion extending toward an outer peripheral surface of the inner ring, and inclined to a width direction outer side as approaching the outer peripheral surface. The inner diameter lip portion is a contact type or a non-contact type seal. An electrically conductive member is held by being sandwiched by an inner diameter portion extending in a substantially radial direction between the core bone and the elastomer. The electrically conductive member has a portion in contact with the inner ring, and a shape in a state before being fitted to the rolling bearing is a toroidal shape lying in a substantially same plane. The elastomer has an added portion engaged with a face on a width direction outer side of the electrically conductive member. The electrically conductive member in contact with the inner ring by a restoring force of the added portion elastically deformed in a state of being fitted to the rolling bearing.

[0016] According to the structure of the bearing seal of the first aspect or the second aspect, the core bone is in contact with the outer ring of the rolling bearing, and the electrically conductive member held between the core bone and the elastomer is in contact with the inner ring of the rolling bearing, so the outer ring and the inner ring are conductive. The shape of the electrically conductive member in a state before the bearing seal is fitted to the rolling bearing is a toroidal shape lying in a substantially same plane. Therefore, it is not necessary to connect the electrically conductive member in a manner along the seal ring having a relatively complicated shape. In addition, the shape of the electrically conductive member in a state before the bearing seal is fitted to the rolling bearing is the toroidal shape, and the length in the radial direction is short, so the manufacture of the electrically conductive member becomes easy. Also, the electrically conductive member is held in a state of being sandwiched by the inner diameter portion extending in a substantially radial direction between the core bone and the elastomer. Thus, the manufacture of the bearing seal composed of the core bone, the elastomer, and the electrically conductive member becomes easy.

[0017] The bearing seal according to the third aspect of the present application is the bearing seal according to the first aspect or the second aspect, wherein the electrically conductive member is a member that shapes the electrically conductive fiber into a circular ring shape, a circular ring-shaped metal foil, or a circular ring-shaped felt that is shaped by winding the electrically conductive fiber itself and has electrical conductivity.

[0018] According to the bearing seal structure of the third aspect of the present application, the electrically conductive member is a member that shapes the electrically conductive fiber into a circular ring shape, a circular ring-shaped metal foil, or a circular ring-shaped felt that is shaped by winding the electrically conductive fiber itself and has electrical conductivity, and is not an electrically conductive elastomer. Therefore, the electrically conductive member has a small electrical resistance to the inner ring, and the contact for electrification is stable without forming an oil film as in the case of the electrically conductive elastomer and the sliding surface of the inner ring in the presence of lubricant.

[0019] Effects of the Invention As described above, the bearing seal according to the first aspect or the second aspect of the present application makes it easy to manufacture the bearing seal that prevents the electric corrosion of the rolling bearing. In addition, according to the bearing seal structure of the third aspect of the present application, the electrically conductive member has a small electrical resistance to the inner ring, and the contact for electrification is stable. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0020] Figure 1 FIG. 1 is a partially enlarged longitudinal sectional view of a rolling bearing that is provided with a bearing seal according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0021] Figure 2 FIG. 2 is a partially enlarged longitudinal sectional view of the bearing seal around one of the rolling bearings of Figure 1 FIG. 3 is a partially enlarged longitudinal sectional view of the bearing seal around one of the rolling bearings of

[0022] Figure 3 FIG. 4 is a cutaway end view showing the shape of the bearing seal before the bearing seal is fitted into the rolling bearing.

[0023] Figure 4 FIG. 5 is a partially enlarged longitudinal sectional view of a rolling bearing that is provided with a bearing seal according to a first modification.

[0024] Figure 5 FIG. 6 is a partially enlarged longitudinal sectional view of a rolling bearing that is provided with a bearing seal according to a second modification.

[0025] Figure 6 FIG. 7 is a cutaway end view showing the shape of the bearing seal according to the second modification before the bearing seal is fitted into the rolling bearing.

[0026] Figure 7 FIG. 8 is a partially enlarged longitudinal sectional view of a rolling bearing that is provided with a bearing seal according to a third modification.

[0027] Figure 8This is a cross-sectional end view showing the shape of the bearing seal of the third modified example before it is installed into the rolling bearing. Detailed Implementation

[0028] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0029] In this specification, the direction parallel to the direction of the rotation center axis of the rolling bearing is referred to as the "width direction" (for example, see reference). Figure 1 Arrow B), the direction orthogonal to the direction of the rotation center axis is called "radial" (e.g., refer to...). Figure 1 (arrow R).

[0030] In this specification, the center of the rolling bearing in the width direction will be approximately ( Figure 1 The width direction of the figure (reference numeral C) is called "inside the width direction" (e.g., see reference numeral C). Figure 1 Arrow BI), the width direction away from the center of the aforementioned width direction is called "outer width direction" (e.g., refer to...). Figure 1 The arrow BO), referring to the radial direction closest to the aforementioned rotational center axis, is called the "radial inner side" (e.g., see reference BO). Figure 1 The arrow RI) refers to the radial direction away from the aforementioned rotation center axis as the "radial outer direction" (e.g., refer to...). Figure 1 (arrow RO).

[0031] [Rolling bearings] Figure 1 The rolling bearing A shown includes an outer ring 11, an inner ring 12, rolling elements 13, a cage 14, and a bearing seal 1. The rolling elements 13 roll between the raceway surfaces of the outer ring 11 and the inner ring 12. The cage 14 guides the rolling elements 13 at predetermined intervals and holds them in a rotatable position.

[0032] [Bearing Seals] Figure 1 and Figure 2 The cross-sectional view of the bearing seal 1 shows an annular sealing ring 2 and a conductive element 5. The sealing ring 2 has, for example, an annular core 3 made of steel and an annular elastomer 4 made of rubber. The elastomer 4 engages with the outer surface BO of the core 3 in the width direction. The conductive element 5 is in communication with the core 3 and the inner ring 12.

[0033] (Core) The core 3 is a plate member, and is composed of an inner diameter portion 3A and an outer diameter portion 3B, and a circular ring portion 9A, an inner side connecting portion 9B, and an outer side connecting portion 9C between the inner diameter portion 3A and the outer diameter portion 3B. The inner diameter portion 3A and the outer diameter portion 3B are circular ring shapes extending along the substantially radial direction R. The inner side connecting portion 9B is a circular truncated cone side surface shape connecting the inner diameter portion 3A and the circular ring portion 9A, and the outer side connecting portion 9C is a circular truncated cone side surface shape connecting the outer diameter portion 3B and the circular ring portion 9A. The outer side BO side of the inner diameter portion 3A faces the conductive member 5.

[0034] (Elastic body) The elastic body 4 is composed of the added portion 6, the inner diameter lip portion 7, the inner diameter portion 8A and the outer diameter engaging portion 8B, and a circular ring portion 10A, an inner side connecting portion 10B, and an outer side connecting portion 10C between the inner diameter portion 8A and the outer diameter engaging portion 8B. The inner diameter portion 8A and the outer diameter engaging portion 8B are circular ring shapes extending along the substantially radial direction R. The inner side connecting portion 10B is a circular truncated cone side surface shape connecting the inner diameter portion 8A and the circular ring portion 10A, and the outer side connecting portion 10C is a circular truncated cone side surface shape connecting the outer diameter engaging portion 8B and the circular ring portion 10A.

[0035] The added portion 6 is a thin-walled member engaged with the conductive member 5. The inner side BI side of the inner diameter portion 8A faces the conductive member 5. The inner diameter lip portion 7 protrudes from the end portion of the inner diameter portion 8A on the radial inner side RI side. The inner diameter lip portion 7 is inclined toward the outer side BO as it approaches the outer peripheral surface 12A of the inner ring 12 (as it goes toward the radial inner side RI). The outer diameter engaging portion 8B is engaged with the engaging groove 11A of the outer ring 11. In a state in which the outer diameter engaging portion 8B of the elastic body 4 is engaged with the engaging groove 11A of the outer ring 11, the outer diameter portion 3B of the core 3 is in contact with the outer ring 11.

[0036] (Conductive member) The conductive member 5 is held by the inner diameter portion D extending along the substantially radial direction R between the inner diameter portion 3A of the core 3 and the inner diameter portion 8A of the elastic body 4, that is, between the core 3 and the elastic body 4, and has a portion in contact with the inner ring 12, that is, an inner diameter side end portion 5A. The end portion of the conductive member 5 on the radial outer side RO side, that is, an outer diameter side end 5B is positioned at the end portion of the inner diameter portion 3A of the core 3 on the radial outer side RO side and the end portion of the inner side connecting portion 9B of the core 3 on the radial inner side RI side. Therefore, the conductive member 5 can be easily positioned with respect to the core 3.

[0037] The conductive member 5 is a member in which a conductive fiber in a cloth shape or a nonwoven fabric shape is formed into a circular ring shape, a circular ring-shaped metal foil, or a circular ring-shaped felt having conductivity in which a conductive fiber is wound. The conductive fiber uses a carbon fiber or a chemical fiber coated with a metal, or the like. The metal coating the chemical fiber uses copper, silver, and / or nickel, or the like. The carbon fiber can also be reinforced by mixing a polyester resin or a polyvinyl chloride resin, or the like.

[0038] The conductive element 5 of the bearing seal 1 is a component formed by shaping conductive fibers in the form of cloth or non-woven fabric into a ring, a ring-shaped metal foil, or a conductive ring-shaped felt formed by winding the conductive fibers themselves; therefore, it is not a conductive elastomer. Consequently, the electrical resistance between the conductive element 5 and the inner ring 12 is reduced, and an oil film does not form as with the sliding surface of a conductive elastomer in the presence of lubricant, thus ensuring stable contact for electrical conduction.

[0039] [The shape of the conductive element before the bearing seal is assembled into the rolling bearing] In Figure 3 In the state shown in the cut-off end view, before the bearing seal 1 is installed into the rolling bearing A, the conductive element 5 is annular in shape, lying in approximately the same plane including the radial direction R. Therefore, it is not necessary to connect the conductive element 5 along the sealing ring 2, which has a relatively complex shape. Furthermore, since the conductive element 5 is annular in shape and has a short radial length R before the bearing seal 1 is assembled into the rolling bearing A, manufacturing the conductive element 5 becomes easier. The conductive element 5 is held in a position where it is clamped by the inner diameter portion D extending approximately radially R between the core 3 and the elastomer 4. Thus, manufacturing the bearing seal 1, which consists of the core 3, the elastomer 4, and the conductive element 5, becomes easier.

[0040] [Assembly of bearing seals to rolling bearings] When the bearing seal 1 is removed Figure 3 The state is as follows Figure 2 That is, it is assembled into rolling bearing A ( Figure 1 When this occurs, the conductive element 5, which abuts against the width-direction end face 12B of the inner ring 12, deforms by bending. Thus, as... Figure 2 As shown, the radially inner RI portion of the conductive member 5 is inclined outward in the width direction RO as it tends towards the radially inner RI, and the inner diameter end 5A of the conductive member 5 contacts the outer peripheral surface 12A of the inner ring 12. Since the conductive member 5 is pressed under the elastic deformation of the added portion 6 of the elastic body 4 and the inner diameter lip 7, the contact between the conductive member 5 and the inner ring 12 is stable.

[0041] With the bearing seal 1 assembled in the rolling bearing A, and the outer diameter engagement portion 8B of the elastomer 4 engaged with the engagement groove 11A of the outer ring 11, the outer diameter portion 3B of the core rib 3 contacts the outer ring 11. Therefore, the core rib 3 of the bearing seal 1 contacts the outer ring 11, and the conductive element 5, which remains between the core rib 3 and the elastomer 4, contacts the inner ring 12, thus establishing electrical connection between the outer ring 11 and the inner ring 12.

[0042] [Variation Example] (First variation) The part of the core 3 that contacts the outer ring 11 can also beFigure 4 The engaging part 3C is shown in the cross-sectional view. That is, in Figure 4 In the example, the engaging portion 3C located at the radially outer RO side end of the core 3 engages with the engaging groove 11A of the outer ring 11, so that the core 3 contacts the outer ring 11. Figure 4 The elastomer 4 in the bearing seal 1 is missing. Figure 2 The outer diameter engaging portion 8B shown also lacks the annular portion 10A. Furthermore, in Figure 4 In the example, a circular part 10A can also be provided.

[0043] (Second variation) Figure 5 sectional view and Figure 6 The bearing seal 1 shown in the cut-off end face diagram indicates that... Figure 2 sectional view and Figure 3 The example shown in the end face view of the cut-off part is an example of removing the addition part 6 of the elastomer 4.

[0044] When the bearing seal 1 is removed Figure 6 The state is as follows Figure 5 That is, it is assembled into rolling bearing A ( Figure 1 When this occurs, the conductive element 5, which abuts against the width-direction end face 12B of the inner ring 12, deforms by bending. Thus, as... Figure 5 As shown, the radially inner portion RI of the conductive element 5 is inclined outward in the width direction RO as it tends towards the radially inner portion RI, and the inner diameter end 5A of the conductive element 5 contacts the outer peripheral surface 12A of the inner ring 12. The inner diameter lip 7 of the elastic body 4 presses against the conductive element 5 along the outer surface BO in the width direction of the conductive element 5, and the inner diameter lip 7 is in a state of elastic deformation, so the contact between the conductive element 5 and the inner ring 12 is stable.

[0045] (Third variation) Figure 7 sectional view and Figure 8 The bearing seal 1 shown in the cut-off end face view is illustrated in... Figure 2 The example shown in the cross-sectional view is an example in which the inner diameter lip 7 of the elastomer 4 is separated from the conductive element 5 and the conductive element 5 is not pressed by the inner diameter lip 7.

[0046] When the bearing seal 1 is removed Figure 8 The state is as follows Figure 7 That is, it is assembled into rolling bearing A ( Figure 1 When this occurs, the conductive element 5, which abuts against the width-direction end face 12B of the inner ring 12, deforms by bending. Thus, as... Figure 7As shown, the portion of the electrically conductive member 5 on the radially inner side RI becomes a state of tilting toward the width direction outer side RO as it tends toward the radially inner side RI, and the radially inner side end 5A of the electrically conductive member 5 is in contact with the outer peripheral surface 12A of the inner ring 12. The added portion 6 of the elastic body 4 is joined to the width direction outer side BO of the electrically conductive member 5, and in a state in which the added portion 6 is elastically deformed mainly at the root 6A, the added portion 6 presses the electrically conductive member 5, so the contact of the electrically conductive member 5 with the inner ring 12 is stabilized.

[0047] In Figure 7 In the example of the bearing seal 1 shown, the inner diameter lip portion 7 forms a contact type seal, but can also be configured as a non-contact type seal in which the front end 7A of the inner diameter lip portion 7 is separated from the outer peripheral surface 12A of the inner ring 12.

[0048] The above-described embodiments are all examples, and are not limited thereto. Various modifications and changes can be made without departing from the scope of the present application.

[0049] Symbol explanation: 1 bearing seal 2 seal ring 3 core 3A inner diameter portion 3B outer diameter portion (portion in contact with outer ring) 3C engaging portion (portion in contact with outer ring) 4 elastic body 5 electrically conductive member 5A radially inner side end (portion in contact with inner ring) 5B radially outer side end 6 added portion 6A root 7 inner diameter lip portion 7A front end 8A inner diameter portion 8B outer diameter engaging portion 9A circular ring portion 9B inner side connecting portion 9C outer side connecting portion 10A circular ring portion 10B inner side connecting portion 10C outer side connecting portion 11 outer ring 11A engaging groove 12 inner ring 12A outer peripheral surface 12B width direction end surface 13 rolling element 14 retainer A rolling bearing B width direction BI inner side in the width direction BO outer side in the width direction C center in the width direction D inner diameter portion extending in a substantially radial direction between the core and the elastomer R radial RI inner side in the radial direction RO outer side in the radial direction

Claims

1. A bearing seal for use in a rolling bearing comprising an outer ring, an inner ring, and rolling elements, and comprising an annular sealing ring, wherein, The sealing ring has: a core having a portion that contacts the outer ring; and an elastomer that engages with the outer surface of the core in the width direction. The elastomer has an inner diameter lip that extends toward the outer peripheral surface of the inner ring and slopes outward in the width direction as it approaches the outer peripheral surface. The bearing seal includes a conductive element that is held between the core and the elastomer by an inner diameter portion extending in a generally radial direction. The conductive element has a portion that contacts the inner ring, and its shape before being assembled into the rolling bearing is an annular shape lying in approximately the same plane. When assembled in the rolling bearing, the conductive element, pressed by the restoring force of the elastically deformed inner diameter lip, contacts the inner ring.

2. A bearing seal for use in a rolling bearing comprising an outer ring, an inner ring, and rolling elements, and comprising an annular sealing ring, wherein, The sealing ring has: a core having a portion that contacts the outer ring; and an elastomer that engages with the outer surface of the core in the width direction. The elastomer has an inner diameter lip that extends toward the outer peripheral surface of the inner ring and slopes outward in the width direction as it approaches the outer peripheral surface. The inner diameter lip can be a contact or non-contact seal. The bearing seal includes a conductive element held by an inner diameter portion extending in a generally radial direction between the core and the elastomer. The conductive element has a portion that contacts the inner ring, and its shape before being assembled into the rolling bearing is an annular shape lying in approximately the same plane. The elastomer has an appendage that engages with the outer surface of the conductive element in the width direction. When assembled in the rolling bearing, the conductive element, pressed by the restoring force of the elastically deformed added part, comes into contact with the inner ring.

3. The bearing seal according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The conductive component is a ring-shaped part formed by shaping conductive fibers in the form of cloth or non-woven fabric, a ring-shaped metal foil, or a ring-shaped felt with conductivity formed by winding the conductive fibers themselves.

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