Sliding member

Abstract

Provided is a sliding member capable of preventing a sliding ring from falling off. A sliding member (U) disposed at a relative rotation site between a housing (4) and a shaft (1) inserted through the housing (4), the sliding member (U) comprising: a sliding ring (10); a sleeve (11) having a support piece (11a) that supports the slip ring (10) in the radial direction; a biasing member (13) that biases the slip ring (10) toward one side in the axial direction; and a holding member (15) that is fixed to the sleeve (11) and holds the biasing member (13) in a state in which the biasing member (13) contracts in the axial direction.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application relates to a sliding member, such as used in a shaft seal or a bearing. BACKGROUND

[0002] As a sliding member for preventing leakage of a sealed fluid around a rotating shaft in a rotary machine, a mechanical seal constituted by a pair of annular sliding rings that relatively rotate and slide against each other is known, for example. In such a mechanical seal, generally, the assembly workability is improved by unitizing various component units constituting the sliding member.

[0003] For example, a seal ring unit of the mechanical seal shown in Patent Literature 1 has a cartridge that is fixed to a housing, the cartridge having a substantially inverted C-shaped cross section, a seal ring that is held to a support portion of the cartridge, a bellows that seals between the seal ring and the cartridge, and a spring that is disposed between the cartridge and the seal ring and exerts a force on the seal ring in the axial direction. By mounting it to the housing in a state where they are assembled, the assembly of the mechanical seal can be performed efficiently.

[0004] PRIOR ART DOCUMENTS

[0005] PATENT LITERATURE

[0006] Patent Literature 1: Japanese Utility Model Registration No. 3210688 (p. 7, Fig. 1) Figure 1 ) SUMMARY

[0007] PROBLEMS TO BE SOLVED BY THE INVENTION

[0008] In Patent Literature 1, one end of the bellows is pressed from the outer diameter side by the annular housing to be fixed to the seal ring, and the other end of the bellows is pressed from the outer diameter side by the annular driving band to be fixed to the support portion of the cartridge. In this way, the axial force is always exerted on the seal ring from the spring, and thus it is possible that the spring is elongated in the axial direction due to vibration generated when the seal ring unit is transported or assembled, and the seal ring is pressed in the axial direction to be detached from the support portion of the cartridge.

[0009] The present application is made in view of such a problem, and aims to provide a sliding member capable of preventing a sliding ring from falling off.

[0010] MEANS FOR SOLVING THE PROBLEMS

[0011] To solve the above problems, a sliding member according to the present application is provided at a relative rotation portion between a housing and a shaft inserted through the housing, wherein the sliding member includes: a sliding ring provided on a rotating side or a fixed side; a sleeve having a support portion extending in an axial direction and a receiving portion extending in a radial direction; an elastic member provided between the support portion and the sliding ring; a force applying member provided between the sliding ring and the receiving portion, which applies a force to the sliding ring in one axial direction; and a retaining member fixed to the sleeve, which retains the force applying member in a state where the force applying member is contracted in the axial direction.

[0012] Thus, the retaining member prevents the force applying member from being excessively elongated in the axial direction, and thus, when the sliding member is transported or installed, the axial movement of the force applying member acts on the sliding ring, and the sliding ring is prevented from being detached from the support piece of the sleeve.

[0013] The sleeve can have an opposing portion that opposes the support portion in the radial direction, and the retaining member can be press-fitted into the opposing portion.

[0014] Thus, the retaining member is easy to set.

[0015] The retaining member can have a ring shape.

[0016] Thus, the opposing portion of the sleeve is strengthened in the circumferential direction.

[0017] The retaining member can have a plate shape that is deformable in the radial direction.

[0018] Thus, the outer circumferential surface or the inner circumferential surface of the retaining member can be ensured to be large in the axial direction, and thus, the strength of the opposing portion of the sleeve can be improved, and the retaining member can be accurately installed.

[0019] A protrusion extending in the axial direction can be provided in one of the retaining member and the sliding ring, and a recess that is engaged with the protrusion so as to be relatively movable in the axial direction can be provided in the other of the retaining member and the sliding ring.

[0020] Thus, by engaging the recess with the protrusion, the relative movement of the retaining member and the sliding ring in the axial direction is allowed, and the relative movement in the circumferential direction is limited, and thus, even if a force is applied from the force applying member, the sliding ring can be prevented from rotating together with the other sliding ring.

[0021] The force applying member and the sliding ring can be arranged to be offset in the radial direction, and the sliding member can have a ring-shaped force applying member receiving portion, which has a shape that is uneven in the axial direction at a portion that overlaps the retaining member in the axial direction and at a portion that overlaps the sliding ring in the axial direction.

[0022] Therefore, by utilizing the uneven shape of the force-applying member to support the component, the force-applying member and the sliding ring can be arranged in a manner that partially overlaps in the radial direction, thus reducing the axial dimension of the sliding member.

[0023] Alternatively, the elastic member may have a bulging portion that protrudes axially from the sliding ring on the other side, and the force-bearing member abuts against the bulging portion.

[0024] Therefore, the tilt of the force-bearing component is absorbed by the elastic component, thus stabilizing the posture of the sliding ring.

[0025] Alternatively, the sliding ring may have an annular groove that is open on the other side in the axial direction and on the support side in the radial direction, in which the elastic member is disposed.

[0026] Thus, the elastic component abuts against the axial end face, radial circumferential surface, support portion, and force-bearing component of the annular groove, thereby preventing the elastic component from twisting and shifting by utilizing static friction. Attached Figure Description

[0027] Figure 1 This is a longitudinal sectional view showing an example of the mechanical seal of Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

[0028] Figure 2 This is a longitudinal sectional view showing the stationary sealing ring side unit of Embodiment 1.

[0029] Figure 3 This is a diagram of the adapter viewed from the axial direction.

[0030] Figure 4 This is a diagram showing the stationary sealing ring viewed from the axial direction.

[0031] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram showing the state of the adapter and the stationary sealing ring combined.

[0032] Figure 6 This is a longitudinal sectional view showing the stationary sealing ring side unit of Embodiment 2 of the present invention.

[0033] Figure 7 This is a longitudinal sectional view showing the stationary sealing ring side unit of Embodiment 3 of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0034] Hereinafter, the method of implementing the sliding component of the present invention will be described based on embodiments.

[0035] Example 1

[0036] Reference Figures 1 to 5The sliding component of Embodiment 1 will be described. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the stationary sealing ring side unit of a mechanical seal will be used as an example of the sliding component for description. Furthermore, Figure 1 The left side of the paper is used as one side of the axis, and the right side of the paper is used as the other side of the axis for explanation.

[0037] Figure 1 The mechanical seal shown is, for example, used to seal the shaft between an outer space and an inner space where different fluids are stored.

[0038] The mechanical seal mainly consists of a stationary sealing ring side unit U and a rotating sealing ring 20. The rotating sealing ring 20 is annular in shape and is configured to rotate together with the rotating shaft 1, which serves as the shaft.

[0039] like Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the stationary sealing ring side unit U mainly includes a stationary sealing ring 10, a sleeve 11, an O-ring 12 as an elastic component, a spring 13 as a force-applying component, a spring-bearing component 14 as a force-bearing component, and an adapter 15 as a retaining component.

[0040] The stationary sealing ring 10 is annular in shape and has a sliding surface 10a that can slide and rotate relative to the sliding surface 20a of the rotating sealing ring 20. Furthermore, the stationary sealing ring 10 has an annular groove 10b formed on the inner diameter side of its other axial end. The annular groove 10b is open on both the other axial end side and the inner diameter side.

[0041] The sleeve 11 has a support plate 11a as a support part, a spring bearing plate 11b as a bearing part, and a counter plate 11c. The part between the rotation shaft 1 of the sleeve 11 and the outer casing 4 is an annular component that is approximately inverted C-shaped when viewed in cross-section. The sleeve 11 is fixed to the outer casing 4 of the equipment to be installed.

[0042] The sleeve 11 is formed by bending a thin sheet of metal. The cross-section of the sleeve 11 is approximately inverted C-shaped, thus ensuring structural strength. Furthermore, the sleeve 11 is not limited to being made of metal and can be freely changed to be made of resin, etc.

[0043] The support piece 11a extends axially on the inner diameter side of the stationary sealing ring 10. The support piece 11a is the part that supports the stationary sealing ring 10.

[0044] The spring bearing plate 11b extends outward from the other end of the support plate 11a along the axial direction. The spring bearing plate 11b is the part that abuts against the other end of the spring 13 and bears the force of the spring 13.

[0045] The opposing piece 11c extends axially from the outer diameter end of the spring bearing piece 11b, substantially parallel to the support piece 11a, and is radially opposed to the support piece 11a. The opposing piece 11c is fixed to the inner circumferential surface of the housing 4. Furthermore, the opposing piece 11c is not limited to being substantially parallel to the support piece 11a; it may also extend obliquely relative to the support piece 11a.

[0046] The O-ring 12 is made of rubber or synthetic resin, etc. This O-ring 12 is disposed within the annular groove 10b of the stationary sealing ring 10, allowing axial movement of the stationary sealing ring 10 to seal between the stationary sealing ring 10 and the support piece 11a. Furthermore, the elastic member is not limited to the O-ring 12; it can also be an X-ring, etc.

[0047] Spring 13 is a helical wave spring with a diameter larger than that of the stationary sealing ring 10. Furthermore, spring 13 and the stationary sealing ring 10 are arranged radially offset. Moreover, spring 13 is not limited to a helical wave spring, but can also be a helical spring or the like.

[0048] The spring bearing member 14 is a ring-shaped plate with a crank-shaped cross-section. The spring bearing member 14 is positioned on the opposite side axially from the stationary sealing ring 10 and the O-ring 12.

[0049] In detail, the spring bearing member 14 has a first portion 14A on the outer diameter side, a second portion 14B on the inner diameter side, and a third portion 14C that axially connects the inner diameter end of the first portion 14A to the outer diameter end of the second portion 14B. These first portions 14A, second portions 14B, and third portions 14C are of uneven shape with the same plate thickness. The second portion 14B is positioned on the opposite side axially from the first portion 14A.

[0050] Part 14A overlaps with spring 13 in the axial direction. Part 2 14B overlaps with stationary sealing ring 10 and O-ring 12 in the axial direction. Part 3 14C is positioned on the outer diameter side of stationary sealing ring 10.

[0051] The adapter 15 has a first sheet 15a, a second sheet 15b, and a third sheet 15c, which are plate-like bodies. The adapter 15 is a ring-shaped component that appears approximately C-shaped in cross-section. The adapter 15 is formed by bending a thin sheet of metal. The cross-section of the adapter 15 is approximately C-shaped, thus ensuring structural strength. Furthermore, the adapter 15 is not limited to being made of metal; it can also be made of resin, etc.

[0052] The first piece 15a extends axially. The second piece 15b extends from one axial end of the first piece 15a toward the inner diameter. The third piece 15c extends from the inner diameter end of the second piece 15b toward the other axial side, and is radially opposite to the first piece 15a.

[0053] The adapter 15 is pressed into the inner side of the opposing piece 11c of the sleeve 11. The third piece 15c of the adapter 15 is disposed in the radial gap between the stationary sealing ring 10 and the third part 14C of the spring bearing member 14. The third piece 15c is disposed separately from the stationary sealing ring 10 on the outer diameter side.

[0054] like Figure 3 As shown, on the inner diameter side of the adapter 15, recesses 15e are formed separately at 6 locations in the circumferential direction, opening on the inner diameter side and extending axially.

[0055] Regarding adapter 15, firstly, the outer diameter side and inner diameter side of the annular sheet material constituting adapter 15 before bending are bent axially to the other side to form annular first piece 15a, second piece 15b, and third piece 15c. Next, on the inner diameter side of the second piece 15b and the third piece 15c, six circumferential cuts are made to form recesses 15e, thereby constituting adapter 15.

[0056] That is, the portion of the second piece 15b of the adapter 15 where the third piece 15c is located can also be described as a protrusion protruding towards the inner diameter side. Alternatively, the adapter may also have a structure in which multiple protrusions are provided on the inner circumferential surface of a plate that appears C-shaped rather than annular when viewed axially.

[0057] like Figure 4 As shown, a plurality of protrusions 10c (six in this embodiment) protruding outwards are provided circumferentially on the outer peripheral surface of the stationary sealing ring 10. The axial length of the protrusions 10c is longer than the axial length of the third piece 15c of the adapter 15 (refer to...). Figure 1 and Figure 2 A recess 10d is formed between adjacent protrusions 10c, which opens on the outer diameter side and extends axially.

[0058] like Figure 5 As shown, when the stationary sealing ring 10 and the adapter 15 are assembled, the protrusion 10c of the stationary sealing ring 10 engages with the recess 15e of the adapter 15.

[0059] This restricts the circumferential relative rotation between the stationary sealing ring 10 and the adapter 15, while allowing axial relative movement.

[0060] return Figure 2 With the stationary sealing ring side unit U assembled, the end face 14Aa on the axial side of the first part 14A of the spring bearing member 14 abuts against the second piece 15b of the adapter 15, and the spring 13 is held in a contracted state. Furthermore, a space S is formed axially between the second part 14B of the spring bearing member 14 and the spring bearing piece 11b of the sleeve 11.

[0061] Thus, the adapter 15 prevents the spring 13 from elongating excessively in the axial direction. Therefore, when the stationary sealing ring side unit U is being transported or installed into the housing 4, the axial movement of the spring 13 acts on the stationary sealing ring 10, preventing the stationary sealing ring 10 from falling off the support piece 11a of the sleeve 11.

[0062] Furthermore, the stationary sealing ring 10 can move axially through the radial gap between the support plate 11a of the sleeve 11 and the adapter 15. Thus, during the assembly of the mechanical seal, the stationary sealing ring 10 is pressed axially to the other side by contacting the rotating sealing ring 20, thereby compressing the spring 13 via the spring bearing member 14 (see reference). Figure 1 That is, when assembling the mechanical seal, the stationary sealing ring 10 can receive an axial force from the spring 13 via the spring bearing member 14.

[0063] Furthermore, the adapter 15 is pressed into the inner side of the opposing piece 11c provided on the sleeve 11. Thus, the adapter 15 can be easily installed without the need for welding or other operations.

[0064] Furthermore, when the adapter 15 is pressed into the inside of the opposing piece 11c, the first piece 15a deforms on the inner diameter side, thus making it easy to press the adapter 15 into the inside of the opposing piece 11c.

[0065] Furthermore, since the adapter 15 is annular, the strength of the opposing piece 11c of the sleeve 11 can be increased uniformly in the circumferential direction. For example, compared to cutting off a portion of the opposing piece 11c of the sleeve 11 and bending it inward to form a retaining member, the strength of the sleeve 11 can be ensured and the deterioration of the roundness of the sleeve 11 can be avoided.

[0066] Furthermore, since the first piece 15a extends axially, the area where the opposing piece 11c is reinforced can be ensured to be large in the axial direction. Moreover, when the adapter 15 is pressed in, the adapter 15 is guided by the first piece 15a, so the adapter 15 can be accurately pressed into the inside of the opposing piece 11c.

[0067] Furthermore, the force of the spring 13 can be easily adjusted by adjusting the amount of pressure applied to the adapter 15.

[0068] Furthermore, the end face 14Ba of the second part 14B of the spring bearing member 14 is positioned on the axial side of the end face 14Aa of the first part 14A, so the stationary sealing ring 10 and the O-ring 12 can be positioned on the axial side of the end face 14Aa of the first part 14A.

[0069] That is, the stationary sealing ring 10 and a portion of the O-ring 12 can be arranged to overlap with the spring 13 in the radial direction, thus reducing the axial dimension of the stationary sealing ring side unit U.

[0070] Furthermore, with the stationary sealing ring side unit U assembled, a portion of the O-ring 12 bulges out from the annular groove 10b of the stationary sealing ring 10 to the other side axially, and the end face 14Ba of the second portion 14B of the spring bearing member 14 abuts against this bulging portion 12a. Thus, the spring bearing member 14 does not directly contact the stationary sealing ring 10, and the tilt of the spring bearing member 14 is absorbed by the O-ring 12, thereby stabilizing the posture of the stationary sealing ring 10.

[0071] Furthermore, the inner circumferential surface 10e of the annular groove 10b abuts against the outer diameter side of the O-ring 12, the support piece 11a of the sleeve 11 abuts against the inner diameter side of the O-ring 12, the end face 10f of the annular groove 10b abuts against one axial side of the O-ring, and the second part 14B of the spring bearing member 14 abuts against the other axial side of the O-ring 12. Thus, static friction is generated at each contact surface of the O-ring 12, thereby preventing torsion and displacement of the O-ring 12.

[0072] Furthermore, the number of protrusions 10c and recesses 10d of the stationary sealing ring 10 and the number of protrusions and recesses 15e of the adapter 15 are not limited to this embodiment and can be freely changed.

[0073] Example 2

[0074] Next, refer to Figure 6 The sliding component of Embodiment 2 will be described. Furthermore, repeated structural descriptions identical to those in Embodiment 1 will be omitted.

[0075] like Figure 6 As shown, in this embodiment 2, the sleeve 211 has a support piece 211a on the outer diameter side of the spring bearing piece 211b, and a counter piece 211c on the inner diameter side of the spring bearing piece 211b. The inner circumferential surface of the counter piece 211c is fixed to the outer circumferential surface of the outer shell 4.

[0076] The cross-sectional shape of the stationary sealing ring 210 is obtained by substantially flipping the cross-sectional shape of the stationary sealing ring 10 of Embodiment 1 in the radial direction. The stationary sealing ring 210 and the O-ring 212 are held on the inner diameter side of the support piece 211a of the sleeve 211.

[0077] The cross-sectional shape of adapter 215 is obtained by radially flipping the cross-sectional shape of adapter 15 of embodiment 1. The diameter of adapter 215 is smaller than the diameter of stationary sealing ring 210, and it is pressed into the outer diameter side of the opposing piece 211c of sleeve 211. That is, adapter 215 is disposed on the inner diameter side of stationary sealing ring 210.

[0078] Furthermore, the cross-sectional shape of the spring bearing member 214 is obtained by substantially flipping the cross-sectional shape of the spring bearing member 14 of Embodiment 1 in the radial direction.

[0079] Furthermore, the spring 213 is disposed on the inner diameter side of the stationary sealing ring 210.

[0080] Thus, even if the various components constituting the stationary sealing ring side unit U2 of this embodiment are configured as described above, it can still perform almost the same function and effect as the stationary sealing ring side unit U of embodiment 1.

[0081] Example 3

[0082] Next, refer to Figure 7 The sliding component of Embodiment 3 will be described. Furthermore, repeated structural descriptions identical to those in Embodiment 1 will be omitted.

[0083] like Figure 7 As shown, the stationary sealing ring 310, sleeve 311, O-ring 312, and spring 313 in this embodiment 2 are substantially the same as those in embodiment 1. However, the spring bearing component 14 of embodiment 1 is not included.

[0084] The adapter 315 has a first piece 315a extending substantially parallel to the opposing piece 311c of the sleeve 311 and a second piece 315b extending from one axial end of the first piece 315a in the direction of the inner diameter. The cross section of the adapter 315 is in the shape of an inverted L.

[0085] One axial end of the spring 313 abuts against the second piece 315b of the adapter 315, which is radially separated, and the stationary sealing ring 310. The spring 313 is held in a contracted state by means of the adapter 315.

[0086] Furthermore, the stationary sealing ring 310 and the O-ring 312 can be inserted into the other side of the axial direction through the gap between the second piece 315b of the adapter 315 and the support piece 311a of the sleeve 311, so that the force from the spring 313 can be obtained by moving to the other side of the axial direction.

[0087] In this way, even without the spring bearing component 14, when the stationary sealing ring side unit is being transported or installed into the housing 4, the axial movement of the spring 313 acts on the stationary sealing ring 310, preventing it from falling off the support piece 311a of the sleeve 311, and in use, the force from the spring 313 can be obtained.

[0088] The embodiments of the present invention have been described above with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the specific structure is not limited to these embodiments, and changes and additions that do not depart from the spirit of the present invention are also included in the present invention.

[0089] For example, in the aforementioned embodiments 1 to 3, a method of pressing the adapter into the opposing piece provided in the sleeve was illustrated, but this is not the only method; it can also be fixed to the sleeve by means of welding or adhesive materials. Furthermore, the adapter is not limited to the opposing piece of the sleeve; it can also be fixed to the spring bearing piece of the sleeve. Additionally, it can be indirectly fixed by means of other components located between the adapter and the sleeve.

[0090] Furthermore, in the aforementioned Embodiments 1 and 2, the adapter was illustrated as having a roughly C-shaped cross-section, and in the aforementioned Embodiment 3, the adapter was illustrated as having an inverted L-shaped cross-section, but these are not limited to these forms and can be freely varied. For example, it could also be a ring-shaped plate. Moreover, the retaining member is not limited to a ring-shaped component, and multiple members can be provided circumferentially.

[0091] Furthermore, in the aforementioned embodiments 1 to 3, the spring bearing member and the bulging part of the elastic member are shown to abut against each other, but they can also abut against the sliding ring.

[0092] Furthermore, in the aforementioned Embodiments 1 to 3, a spring was exemplified as the force-applying component, but it could also be an elastic component such as rubber.

[0093] Furthermore, in the aforementioned embodiments 1 to 3, an O-ring was exemplified as an elastic component, but for example, a bellows or the like that allows relative movement between the sleeve and the sliding ring for sealing could also be used.

[0094] Furthermore, in the aforementioned embodiments 1 to 3, a stationary sealing ring side unit was described as a sliding component, but it can also be applied to a rotating sealing ring side unit.

[0095] Furthermore, in the aforementioned embodiments 1 to 3, the method of rotating the shaft relative to the fixed housing was described, but it is also possible for the housing to rotate relative to the fixed shaft, or for them to rotate relative to each other.

[0096] Furthermore, in the aforementioned embodiments 1 to 3, a mechanical seal used in a shaft seal was exemplified as a sliding component, but it can also be used in a bearing, for example.

[0097] Label Explanation

[0098] 1: Rotating shaft (shaft); 4: Housing; 10: Stationary sealing ring (sliding ring); 10b: Annular groove; 10c: Protrusion; 10d: Recess; 11: Sleeve; 11a: Support plate (support part); 11b: Spring bearing plate (bearing part); 11c: Opposing plate; 12: O-ring (elastic component); 12a: Bulging part; 13: Spring; 14: Spring bearing component (force-applying component bearing component); 14A: First part; 14Aa: End face; 14B: Second part; 14Ba: End face; 14C: Third part; 15: Adapter (retaining component); 15a: First piece (plate-like body); 15b: Second piece; 15c: Third piece; 15e: Recess; U: Stationary sealing ring side unit.

Claims

1. A sliding member disposed between a housing and a rotating portion thereof, wherein, The sliding component has: A sliding ring on one side, which is located on the rotating side or the fixed side; A sleeve having an axially extending support portion and a radially extending bearing portion; An elastic member is disposed between the support portion and the sliding ring; A force-applying component is disposed between the sliding ring and the bearing portion, and applies force to the sliding ring in the axial direction; as well as A retaining member, which is fixed to the sleeve, is used to retain the force-applying member in an axially contracted state.

2. The sliding component according to claim 1, wherein, The sleeve has a opposing portion that is radially opposite to the support portion. The retaining member is pressed into the opposing portion.

3. The sliding component according to claim 2, wherein, The retaining member is ring-shaped.

4. The sliding component according to claim 3, wherein, The outer or inner circumferential surface of the retaining member is a plate-like body capable of radial deformation.

5. The sliding member according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein, One of the retaining member and the sliding ring is provided with a protrusion extending axially, and the other of the retaining member and the sliding ring is provided with a recess that engages with the protrusion in a manner that allows relative axial movement.

6. The sliding component according to claim 1, wherein, The force-applying member and the sliding ring are arranged radially offset. The sliding component has an annular force-bearing component, the portion of which overlaps with the retaining component in the axial direction and the portion that overlaps with the sliding ring in the axial direction are uneven in the axial direction.

7. The sliding member according to claim 6, wherein, The elastic member has a bulge portion that protrudes axially to the opposite side of the sliding ring. The force-bearing component abuts against the bulging portion.

8. The sliding member according to claim 7, wherein, The sliding ring has an annular groove that is open on the other side in the axial direction and open on the support side in the radial direction, and the elastic member is disposed in the annular groove.

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