Sealing device, bearing device, and method for manufacturing sealing device

Abstract

A sealing device (10A-10H) is provided with: a connection part (20) that can be electrically connected to a first member (2); and a lip section (40) that is in contact with a target surface on the second member (3) side. The lip section (40) is provided with: a lip base end section (41); and a conductive lip piece (43) extending from the lip base end (41) toward the target surface, the conductive lip piece (43) containing an elastic material (11) and integrally containing a conductive material (44) having conductivity at least at the tip end (43a). The lip base end (41) is mainly composed of an elastic material (11).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a sealing device installed between a first component and a second component that rotate relative to each other, a bearing device having the sealing device, and a method for manufacturing the sealing device. Background Technology

[0002] Previously, the following problem existed: electrolytic corrosion occurred on the surface of the rolling elements due to current flowing through the bearing assembly, which is installed between the first and second components and contains multiple rolling elements, leading to premature bearing failure. This risk was particularly high for electric vehicles, which have numerous electrical components, posing a significant risk of a large amount of current flowing into the bearing assembly.

[0003] To address this problem, a technique is proposed in which a conductive fibrous material is disposed inside a sealing device installed to seal the space between the first and second components of a bearing assembly, thereby directing the current attempting to flow to the rolling elements to the sealing device side.

[0004] In the sealing device of Patent Document 1, the fibrous material is configured to extend radially and cover approximately the entire length of the gap between the first member and the second member, and the ends of the fibrous material contact the first member and the second member, respectively.

[0005] In particular, since the first and second components are in a relative rotational relationship, during rotation, the lip of the sealing device fixed to the first component slides into contact with the object surface (e.g., the outer peripheral surface of the second component) on the side of the second component. Therefore, the fibrous material is configured such that a portion of the fibrous material is exposed at the front end of the lip during the sliding contact, so that the conduction is not interrupted.

[0006] Existing technical documents Patent documents Patent Document 1: DE102017107326 Summary of the Invention The technical problem that the invention aims to solve In addition, since the lip in the sealing device slides, the entire lip, including the lip base (the root of the lip), is usually made of elastic material. Due to its flexibility, the lip can flexibly follow the object surface as a relatively rotating object and make sliding contact.

[0007] However, in the sealing device of Patent Document 1, if the fibrous material is configured to extend approximately the entire length of the sealing device between the first and second members, there is a risk that the fibrous material may damage the flexibility of the lip or the lip base end. As a result, the sliding between the lip and the object surface on the second member side becomes unstable, which may lead to instability in the energized state. Furthermore, due to the increased rigidity of the lip (making it difficult to undergo elastic deformation), there is also a risk that the reaction force of the lip relative to the object surface will increase, which may accelerate deterioration due to the resulting heat.

[0008] The present invention was made in view of this situation, and its object is to provide a sealing device and bearing device that, when disposed between a first member and a second member that are rotating relative to each other, can maintain a proper energization state and can suppress lip deterioration. Furthermore, the object is to provide a manufacturing method that allows for the simple manufacture of such a sealing device.

[0009] Solution to the above technical problems To achieve the above objective, the sealing device of the present invention is a sealing device comprising an elastic material, which, when installed between a first member and a second member that rotate relative to each other, enables an electrical connection between the first member and the second member. The device is characterized by comprising: a connecting portion capable of being electrically connected to the first member; and a lip that contacts an object surface on the side of the second member. The lip includes: a lip base end portion; and a conductive lip extending from the lip base end portion toward the object surface. The conductive lip includes the elastic material and integrally includes a conductive material with conductivity at least at its front end portion. The lip base end portion is primarily composed of the elastic material.

[0010] Furthermore, the method for manufacturing a sealing device according to the present invention is a method for manufacturing a sealing device comprising an elastic material using a forming mold. When the sealing device is installed between a first component and a second component that rotate relative to each other, it is capable of electrically connecting the first component and the second component. The sealing device is characterized in that it includes: a connecting portion capable of being electrically connected to the first component; and a lip that contacts an object surface on the side of the second component. The lip includes: a lip base end; and a conductive lip extending from the lip base end toward the object surface. The conductive lip includes the elastic material and integrally includes a conductive material having conductivity at least at its front end. In the method for manufacturing the sealing device, the conductive material and a molten material, which is the raw material for the elastic material, are disposed together in the forming mold, and the molten material is solidified to form the conductive lip.

[0011] Invention Effects Because the sealing device and bearing device of the present invention have the above-described structure, when disposed between the first member and the second member, a proper energizing state can be maintained, and deterioration of the lip can be suppressed. Furthermore, according to the manufacturing method of the sealing device of the present invention, such a sealing device can be easily manufactured. Attached Figure Description

[0012] Figure 1 This is a schematic longitudinal sectional view of a bearing assembly equipped with the sealing device according to an embodiment of the present invention (a general view applicable to all embodiments).

[0013] Figure 2 These are explanatory diagrams of the sealing device according to the first embodiment. (a) is a cut-off end view of the sealing device, and (b) is a partial longitudinal sectional view of the bearing device on which the sealing device is mounted.

[0014] Figure 3 (a) is a cut-off end view of the sealing device according to the second embodiment, (b) is a cut-off end view of the sealing device according to the third embodiment, and (c) is a cut-off end view of the sealing device according to the fourth embodiment.

[0015] Figure 4 These are explanatory diagrams of the sealing device according to the fifth embodiment. (a) is a cut-off end view of the sealing device, and (b) is a partial longitudinal sectional view of the bearing device on which the sealing device is mounted.

[0016] Figure 5 (a) is a cut-off end view of the sealing device according to the sixth embodiment, and (b) is a cut-off end view of the sealing device according to the seventh embodiment.

[0017] Figure 6 This is a flowchart illustrating the general basic steps of the manufacturing method of the sealing device according to this embodiment.

[0018] Figure 7 (a) and (b) are schematic end-face views of the cut portion, illustrating an example of the steps of the manufacturing method, and (c) is a schematic end-face view of the cut portion of the sealing device manufactured by the manufacturing method. Detailed Implementation

[0019] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0020] Firstly based on Figure 1 The general structure of the bearing assembly 1, which is equipped with the sealing devices 10A to 10H according to the following embodiments, will be described. Additionally, the accompanying drawings (see below) for the various embodiments described below will be provided. Figures 2-5 and Figure 7 ), is aimed at Figure 1The attached drawings illustrate the sealing devices 10A to 10H in the X section.

[0021] The bearing assembly 1 has a first member 2 (outer member) and a second member 3 (inner member) that rotate relatively coaxially about the axis L of the shaft 5. For example, the first member 2 is embedded in a housing (not shown), the shaft 5 is inserted into the second member 3, and the second member 3 rotates together with the shaft 5, thereby establishing a relative rotational relationship between the first member 2 and the second member 3. That is, the first member 2 constitutes the outer ring of the bearing, and the second member 3 constitutes the inner ring of the bearing.

[0022] To seal the sealed space 6 between the first member 2 and the second member 3 in the bearing assembly 1 from both ends in the direction of axis L, sealing devices 10A to 10H are installed, thereby forming a sealed space. In the sealed space 6, a single row of rolling elements 7 (balls in the illustration) are held between the first member 2 and the second member 3 in a state held by a cage (not shown).

[0023] Various embodiments of the sealing devices 10A to 10H of the present invention can be listed as described below. First, the common basic structure of these sealing devices 10A to 10H will be described (see [reference]). Figures 2-5 and Figure 7 ).

[0024] Sealing devices 10A to 10H include: a connecting portion 20 capable of being electrically connected to the first member 2; and a lip 40 that contacts the object surface of the second member 3. The lip 40 includes: a lip base end portion 41; and conductive lips 43 and 45 extending from the lip base end portion 41 toward the object surface. The conductive lips 43 and 45 comprise an elastic material 11, and at least at their front ends 43a and 45a, they integrally comprise a conductive material 44 having conductivity. The lip base end portion 41 is primarily composed of the elastic material 11.

[0025] Figures 2-5 and Figure 7 The sealing devices 10A to 10H shown are all fitted (embedded) in the first member 2. Regarding the second member 3, the lip 40 and the object surface on the side of the second member 3 (the first surface 3b of the step portion 3a of the second member 3 (refer to) Figure 2 (b) The outer surface 51b of the oil slinger 50 of the sealing device 10E between the second member 3 and the third member 3 (refer to) Figure 4 (b) of the second component 3, the second surface 3c (refer to) Figure 5 (a) or the third surface 3g of the groove 3e of the second member 3 (refer to) Figure 5 (b) is in a sliding contact relationship. That is, the lip 40 is used to prevent water or other foreign objects from entering the sealed space 6 by minimizing the gap caused by the relative rotation of the first member 2 and the second member 3.

[0026] Furthermore, in the sealing devices 10A to 10H described below, the elastic material 11, which is one of the constituent materials of the sealing devices 10A to 10H, is formed of conductive rubber, which is formed by mixing conductive carbon filler or the like into a rubber material. Examples of conductive carbon fillers include carbon black, carbon fiber, carbon nanofiber, and graphite.

[0027] In addition, as raw materials for conductive material 44, conductive materials such as copper, tungsten, and stainless steel, or conductive fibers such as carbon fiber, can be listed. It is desirable to use raw materials with a conductivity (resistivity) that is at least higher than that of ordinary rubber.

[0028] The conductive material 44 is preferably a flat, flexible material, such as a thin film or a sheet. For example, a flexible metal mesh material woven from fine metal wires can be considered as the raw material for the conductive material 44. Furthermore, the conductive material 44 is preferably made of a material having at least gaps or through holes. The conductive material 44 is configured as a ring, with an inner diameter equal to the diameter of the front end of the conductive lip 43. The conductive material 44 is configured not to be enclosed within the lip base end 41.

[0029] The desired outcome is that, during the forming of the sealing device 10A-10H, the conductive material 44 within the conductive lip 43 is formed by molten material 65 (refer to...) which is the raw material for the elastic material 11. Figure 7 The elastic material 11 is impregnated in a metal mesh material or wound around a metal fiber material or other fine metal wire, thereby making the elastic material 11 and the conductive material 44 an integral unit. When the conductive material 44 is a stamped metal, it is desirable for the elastic material 11 to enter the through hole.

[0030] Furthermore, in all the sealing devices 10A to 10H described below, a core material portion 30 is arranged radially so as to be adjacent to the connecting portion 20 side of the lip portion 40. The core material portion 30 is composed of a core rod 31 and a portion of an elastic material 11 fixed to the core rod 31. The core material portion 30 serves to increase the rigidity of the sealing devices 10A to 10H so that the sealing devices 10A to 10H can be stably fitted into the first member 2. In addition, the first member 2 and the second member 3 on which the sealing devices 10A to 10H are mounted are made of a conductive metal material.

[0031] Next, the sealing devices 10A to 10H according to each embodiment will be described in turn with reference to the accompanying drawings. First, regarding... Figures 2-4 The sealing devices 10A to 10E according to the first to fifth embodiments shown will be described.

[0032] The first embodiment involves Figure 2The sealing device 10A is integrally composed of a core rod 31, an elastic material 11, and a conductive material 44. Figure 2 (a) is equivalent to Figure 1 A cut-off end view of the sealing device 10A in the middle X section when it is not installed in the sealed space 6. Figure 2 (b) is a partial longitudinal sectional view of the bearing assembly 1 showing the installed state of the sealing device 10A. First refer to... Figure 2 (a) will describe each part of the sealing device 10A.

[0033] The core rod 31 is the main material of the core material portion 30 constituting the sealing device 10A. It has higher rigidity than the elastic material 11, enabling it to serve as the core of the sealing device 10A, and is formed of a conductive metallic material. The core rod 31 includes a core rod cylindrical portion 31a and a core rod circular plate portion 31b extending radially inward from its outer side end 31aa along its axis L. Furthermore, the outer diameter of the conductive material 44 is set to be smaller than the inner diameter of the core rod circular plate portion 31b of the core rod 31. In this embodiment, a lip end portion 41 made of the elastic material 11 is disposed between the inner diameter end face of the core rod circular plate portion 31b and the outer diameter end face of the conductive material 44.

[0034] In this embodiment, the connecting portion 20 for electrical connection with the first member 2 is formed of an elastic material 11. The elastic material 11 is continuously disposed from the connecting portion 20 through the core portion 30 to the lip portion 40, covering approximately the entire radial length. A protrusion 21 is formed on the connecting portion 20 to engage with the groove 2a formed in the first member 2. In the core portion 30, the elastic material 11 is fixed to the outer side in the axial direction L up to the inner end 31ba of the mandrel circular plate portion 31b.

[0035] The lip 40 consists of a lip base end 41 made of elastic material 11 and two lips 42 and 43 extending from the lip base end 41. Of the two lips 42 and 43, the lip 43 located on the outer side (away from the rolling element 7) in the L-axis direction is configured such that the elastic material 11 on the outer side of the L-axis direction is fixed to the conductive material 44 on the inner side of the L-axis direction in contact with each other. This lip 43, consisting of two components, is the aforementioned conductive lip 43. The other lip 42 is made of elastic material 11. The conductive lip 43 extends towards the inner diameter side, and the lip 42 extends axially inward and towards the inner diameter side. The thickness of the lip 42 is greater than that of the conductive lip 43.

[0036] If the sealing device 10A is installed between the first component 2 and the second component 3, it becomes as follows: Figure 2 The state shown in (b).

[0037] With the sealing device 10A installed in the sealed space 6, on the first member 2 side, the mandrel cylindrical portion 31a is fitted into the first member 2 via the protrusion portion 21 of the connecting portion 20, and the protrusion portion 21 is in a state of being compressed into the groove portion 2a.

[0038] On the other hand, on the second member 3 side, the conductive lip 43 is in elastic contact with the first surface 3b of the step portion 3a, and the other lip 42 is in contact with or close to the second surface 3c. In addition, during the rotation of the bearing device 1, at least the conductive lip 43 undergoes elastic deformation and becomes in sliding contact with the second member 3.

[0039] At least the front end portion 43a of the conductive lip 43 exposes conductive material 44, and the exposed portion 44a contacts the first surface 3b of the second member 3 regardless of whether the bearing assembly 1 is rotating or stationary. Furthermore, the exposed portion 44a is not limited to the case where only the end face of the front end portion 43a is exposed, such as... Figure 2 As shown in the example, the inner side surface (the radial surface in cross-section) of the conductive lip 43 in the direction of axis L is also exposed, which is desirable for stabilizing the conductive sliding contact.

[0040] As explained above and Figure 2 As can be seen from (b), since the connecting part 20 formed by the conductive elastic material 11 is in contact with the first member 2, and the exposed part 44a of the conductive lip 43 is in surface contact with the second member 3, the sealing device 10A is in a state where it can conduct between the first member 2 and the second member 3, whether the bearing device 1 is rotating or stopped.

[0041] In particular, if a structure is adopted in which the conductive material 44 of the conductive lip 43 is fixed to the elastic material 11, and the exposed portion 44a contacts the second member 3 with a larger area, the overall conductivity of the sealing device 10A can be improved. For example, the conductive material 44 may protrude longer toward the inner diameter side of the sealing device 10A.

[0042] Furthermore, a lip base end 41 without conductive material 44 is provided on the lip 40. That is, the lip base end 41 disposed between the core material portion 30 (core rod 31) and the lips 42, 43 does not contain conductive material 44, but is mainly composed of elastic material 11. The thickness of the lip base end 41 is thicker than that of the lips 42 and the conductive lip 43. In this way, since the lip base end 41 is less elastic (more easily deformable) than the core material portion 30, even during relative rotation, the lip base end 41 will elastically deform slightly while causing the conductive lip 43 to slide in contact with the second member 3. Therefore, even during relative rotation, the stable sliding contact of the conductive lip 43 with the second member 3 can suppress the interruption of power supply.

[0043] Furthermore, the lips 42 and 43, through the flexibility of the lip base end 41, suppress the reaction force generated by contact with the second member 3. Therefore, heat generation caused by the sliding contact of the lips 42 and 43 can be suppressed, and the progression of deterioration of the lips 42 and 43 can be inhibited. Even when a perforated metal with low flexibility is used as the conductive material 44 of the conductive lip 43, as long as the lip base end 41 has sufficient flexibility, the reaction force of the conductive lip 43 can be reduced.

[0044] Furthermore, depending on the hardness of the conductive material 44, the conductive lip 43 may be more susceptible to reduced flexibility compared to other lips 42. However, by thinning the conductive material 44 or increasing the internal space volume to form the conductive lip 43, the flexibility of the conductive lip 43 can be improved. Therefore, various adjustments can be made. Originally, as long as the lip base end 41 does not contain the conductive material 44, there is almost no risk of overall elastic damage to the lip 40.

[0045] Furthermore, experiments conducted by the inventors confirmed that by providing a conductive material 44 within the lip 40, the first component 2 and the second component 3 can conduct more reliably.

[0046] In addition, such as Figure 2 As shown in (a), the sealing device 10A has a shape before installation such that the conductive lip 43 and the conductive material 44 contained therein are approximately straight and flat in cross-section. That is, during the forming of the sealing device 10A, molten material 65 (refer to) is injected as the raw material for the elastic material 11. Figure 7 Before that, only in the forming mold 60 (refer to) Figure 7 The annular and flat conductive material 44 can be arranged in a flat shape without bending or other processing.

[0047] Since it is not necessary to deform the flat conductive material 44 in the forming mold, the conductive material 44 will not become unstable in shape due to elastic recovery in the forming mold. Therefore, the manufacturing of the sealing device 10A can be carried out efficiently and quickly.

[0048] When the sealing device 10A is formed in the molding die, the molten material 65 of the elastic material 11 enters the gaps in the metal mesh material, thus solidifying the impregnated molten material 65 and fixing the elastic material 11 and the conductive material 44 together. Furthermore, since the conductive material 44 is stably held within the molding die, pre-bonding and fixing within the molding die is unnecessary. Moreover, since the conductive material 44 does not need to be joined to the mandrel 31 as shown in the example, the difficulty of fixing the mandrel 31, conductive material 44, and elastic material 11 together can be avoided.

[0049] In this embodiment, a mandrel 31 is used as the core material of the core part 30. However, a plate-shaped material of the same type as the conductive material 44, such as a conductive metal mesh material, can also be used instead of the mandrel 31. Although the rigidity of this plate-shaped material may be lower than that of the mandrel 31, it is sufficient to use a plate-shaped material that is thickened to improve rigidity. In addition, since this plate-shaped material can be used directly without deforming the flat plate material, it is easy to form. Furthermore, as long as the elastic material 11 is conductive, a core material made of synthetic resin can also be used instead of the mandrel 31.

[0050] Next, refer to Figure 3 (a), (b), and (c) will describe the sealing devices 10B, 10C, and 10D according to the second, third, and fourth embodiments. Furthermore, these figures are equivalent to... Figure 1 The cut-off end face view of the sealing devices 10B, 10C, and 10D of the X section when they are not installed in the sealed space 6.

[0051] The first component 2 and the second component 3 of the bearing assembly 1, which are the objects of installation of these sealing devices 10B and 10C, are... Figure 2 The sealing device 10A shown is the same as the object to which it is installed, with a groove 2a formed on the first member 2 and a stepped portion 3a formed on the second member 3. However, the installation state is not shown in the figure. Furthermore, the second member 3 of the bearing device 1, which is the object to which the sealing device 10D is installed, is similar to... Figure 2 The object to which the sealing device 10A shown is installed also has a stepped portion 3a, but as Figure 3 As shown by the double-dotted line in (c), no groove 2a is formed on the mating surface 2b of the first member 2.

[0052] The sealing devices 10B and 10C involved in the second and third embodiments (see reference) Figure 3 (a) and (b) are both related to Figure 2 Similar to the sealing device 10A, the mandrel cylindrical portion 31a, which engages with the first member 2, does not directly contact the first member 2, but rather enters the groove portion 2a through the connecting portion 20 to contact the first member 2. On the other hand, the sealing device 10D according to the fourth embodiment (see...) Figure 3 (c) The core cylindrical portion 31a and the connecting portion 20 are in direct contact with the mating surface 2b of the first component 2.

[0053] exist Figure 3 In the sealing device 10B shown in (a), the connecting part 20 and the core material part 30 are connected to... Figure 2 The structures are roughly the same. However, the arrangement order of the elastic material 11 and the core rod 31 in the core material part 30, starting from the outside in the direction of the axis L, is core rod 31 and elastic material 11.

[0054] In addition, lips 40 and Figure 2 They are roughly the same, with a lip base end 41 and two lips 42 and 43, which are arranged in the following order from the outside of the axis L: conductive lip 43 and another lip 42.

[0055] The conductive lip 43 is formed such that its overall thickness is equal to the thickness of the conductive material 44. In the conductive lip 43, the elastic material 11 enters the voids within the conductive material 44, serving as a constituent material and... Figure 2 The same applies. In this way, because the conductive lip 43 is formed thinner, the reaction force when in contact with the second member 3 can be reduced.

[0056] The sealing device 10B, which has the same thickness for the conductive lip 43 as for the conductive material 44, has significant advantages in its manufacturing method. This will be discussed further in... Figure 7 The explanation will be discussed later.

[0057] Furthermore, the lip base end 41 is thinner than its radially adjacent portions (core material 30, lips 42, 43), exhibiting a necked shape in cross-section. That is, it is formed such that it thickens from its thinnest portion towards the inner diameter side and further towards the outer diameter side. Therefore, the lip base end 41 undergoes more flexible elastic deformation. As a result, the reaction force of the lips 42, 43 is prevented from becoming excessive.

[0058] Regarding other effects produced by this sealing device 10B, due to... Figure 2 Since they are the same, the explanation is omitted.

[0059] exist Figure 3 In the sealing device 10C shown in (b), the connecting part 20 and the core material part 30 are connected to... Figure 2 The arrangement of the elastic material 11 and the core rod 31 in the core material section 30 is roughly the same. Figure 2 The same.

[0060] In addition, lips 40 and Figure 2 The structure is roughly the same. However, in addition to the lip base end 41, the lip 40 also has three lip plates 42 and 43. The lip plate 43 located in the center of these lip plates 42 and 43 is designed as a conductive lip plate 43.

[0061] The conductive lip 43 extends radially towards its inner diameter and axially towards its inner diameter. Although the conductive material 44 of the conductive lip 43 slopes slightly downwards towards its inner diameter, it appears straight in cross-section. Therefore, when the sealing device 10B is formed by the forming mold, it is sufficient to use a flexible, flat conductive material 44 with its inner diameter recessed, even if it is deformed into a flat, hollow frustum-shaped cone. Such a conductive material 44 only needs to be formed in the forming mold 60 (see reference 60). Figure 7 It can be configured along the shape of the mold cavity, and the configuration does not require much effort.

[0062] Regarding other effects produced by this sealing device 10B, due to... Figure 2 Since they are the same, the explanation is omitted.

[0063] exist Figure 3 In the sealing device 10D shown in (c), the lip 40 and Figure 3 The same as (b). That is, the lip 40 has a lip base end 41 and three lips 42 and 43, with the lip 43 in the center serving as a conductive lip 43.

[0064] Furthermore, the connecting portion 20 is configured such that the elastic material 11 and the mandrel cylindrical portion 31a are arranged along the axis L, and the mandrel cylindrical portion 31a, which engages with the first member 2, directly contacts the mating surface 2b of the first member 2. The arrangement of the elastic material 11 and the mandrel 31 in the core material portion 30 is such that... Figure 2 The same arrangement.

[0065] Furthermore, a protruding crimping portion 22 made of elastic material 11 is formed on the connecting portion 20, which is crimped onto the mating surface of the first member 2 to supplement the mating performed by the core rod 31.

[0066] Since the mandrel 31 is in direct contact with the first component 2, if the mandrel 31 is made of metal, the sealing device 10D and the first component 2 can be electrically connected through the mandrel 31. Therefore, the elastic material 11 can be non-conductive, but if an adhesive is used to fit the mandrel 31 into the first component 2, there is a risk of damage to the conductivity between the mandrel 31 and the first component 2. Therefore, it is desirable to use an elastic material 11 that is conductive.

[0067] Furthermore, since the connecting part 20 is electrically connected to the first member 2, when a non-conductive material is used as the elastic material 11, the mandrel cylindrical part 31a serves both as the part that fits into the first member 2 and as the connecting part 20, which is self-evident.

[0068] Regarding other effects produced by this sealing device 10D, due to... Figure 2 Since they are the same, the explanation is omitted.

[0069] Next, refer to Figure 4 The sealing device 10E according to the fifth embodiment will be described. Figure 4 (a) is equivalent to Figure 1 A cut-off end face view of the sealing device 10E of the X section when it is not installed in the sealed space 6. Figure 4 (b) is a partial longitudinal sectional view of the bearing assembly 1 showing the installed state of the sealing device 10E. First refer to... Figure 4 (a) will describe the various parts of the sealing device 10E.

[0070] Figure 4 The sealing device 10E shown consists of two separate components, a sealing member 15 and an oil slinger 50, which are installed as a single unit in the sealed space 6 of the bearing assembly 1. The sealing member 15 is fitted (embedded) in the first component 2, while the oil slinger 50 is fitted (embedded) in the second component 3.

[0071] The sealing member 15 generally corresponds to the sealing device 10A according to the first to fourth embodiments, and has a connecting part 20, a core material part 30 and a lip part 40.

[0072] Connecting part 20 and Figure 3 The connecting portion 20 of the sealing device 10D shown in (c) is the same, configured such that the elastic material 11 and the mandrel cylindrical portion 31a are arranged along the axis L, and the mandrel cylindrical portion 31a, which is fitted into the first member 2, directly contacts the first member 2. In addition, a protruding crimping portion 22 made of elastic material 11 is formed on the connecting portion 20, which, by crimping onto the fitting surface of the first member 2, supplements the fitting performed by the mandrel 31.

[0073] Furthermore, the positional relationship between the mandrel cylindrical portion 31a and the mandrel circular plate portion 31b is as follows: Figure 3 Unlike (c), the open end of the mandrel cylindrical portion 31a is positioned on the outer side in the direction of axis L. Furthermore, the arrangement of the core material portions 30 is different from... Figure 2 The same.

[0074] The lip 40 has a lip base end 41 and two lips 42 and 43, which are arranged in the following order from the outside in the direction of axis L: conductive lip 43 and another lip 42.

[0075] On the other hand, the oil slinger 50 is made of metal and has a first cylindrical portion 51 that contacts the second member 3, an oil slinger circular plate portion 52 that extends radially outward from the side end 51a of the first cylindrical portion 51, and a second cylindrical portion 53 that extends from the outer end 52a of the oil slinger circular plate portion 52 toward the sealed space 6.

[0076] The mandrel cylindrical portion 31a of the sealing member 15 is fitted (inner) into the first member 2, and the first cylindrical portion 51 of the oil slinger 50 is fitted (outer) into the second member 3, thereby the sealing member 15 and the oil slinger 50 are installed as a sealing device 10E in the sealed space 6 (see reference). Figure 1 ).

[0077] Although it is desirable for the oil-slinging ring 50 to be fixed to the second member 3 by an adhesive, it is desirable that there is no adhesive between the inner surface of the first cylindrical portion 51 and the outer surface 3d of the second member 3, so that the oil-slinging ring 50 and the second member 3 can make conductive contact. Furthermore, the relationship between the first member 2 and the mandrel cylindrical portion 31a, and the relationship between the first member 2 and the connecting portion 20, are related to... Figure 3 The same as (c).

[0078] In the installed state of the sealing device 10E, a labyrinth space r is formed by the sealing member 15 and the oil slinger 50. The two lips 42 and 43 of the sealing member 15 both contact the outer surface 51b of the first cylindrical portion 51 at the second member 3 side deep within the labyrinth space r. That is, the exposed portion 44a of the conductive material 44 contained in the conductive lip 43 contacts the outer surface 51b of the first cylindrical portion 51. When the first member 2 and the second member 3 are rotated relative to each other, the front ends of the lips 42 and 43 simultaneously make elastic and sliding contact with the side of the second member 3 opposite to the first member 2, i.e., the outer surface 51b of the first cylindrical portion 51.

[0079] Alternatively, the lips 42 and 43 can also be in sliding contact with the side 52b of the oil-slinging ring circular plate portion 52 facing the labyrinth space r. Furthermore, considering the possibility that the oil-slinging ring 50 and the second member 3 are not conductive due to the adhesive, the lips 42 ( Figure 4 (b) The left lip is used as a conductive lip 43 to contact the outer surface 3d of the second member 3.

[0080] In this way, if the sealing device 10E is installed between the first component 2 and the second component 3, it becomes conductive to the first component 2 through the connecting part 20, and becomes conductive to the second component 3 through the conductive lip 43 via the oil slinger 50, thereby making the first component 2 and the second component 3 conductive.

[0081] Regarding other effects produced by this sealing device 10E, due to its relation to Figure 3 Since they are the same, the explanation is omitted.

[0082] In the sealing devices 10A to 10E described above, although the first member 2 (outer member) is positioned as the fixed side and the second member 3 (inner member) is positioned as the rotating side, it is also possible to position the first member 2 as the rotating side and the second member 3 as the fixed side. Even in this case, the connection portion 20 is provided on the first member 2 side and the lip portion 40 is provided on the second member 3 side in sealing devices 10A to 10E, which is the same as described above.

[0083] Furthermore, in sealing devices 10A to 10E, although an exposed portion 44a made of conductive material 44 is provided at the front end 43a of the conductive lip 43, the conductive lip 43 contains a conductive elastic material 11, and conductivity can be achieved solely by the elastic material 11. Therefore, a structure without an exposed portion 44a is also possible. That is, as long as the conductive material 44 is provided at the front end of the conductive lip 43 to assist the sealing devices 10A to 10E in conducting electricity, the conductive material 44 can also be covered by the elastic material 11.

[0084] In sealing devices 10A to 10E, the amount or length of the conductive material 44 included in the conductive lip 43 is not limited. For example, the radial length of the conductive material 44 may not be consistent with the full length of the conductive lip 43; for example, it may be the length of a portion disposed on the base end side, a portion on the front end side, a portion in the center, etc. of the conductive lip 43.

[0085] In this way, since the conductive material 44 can be disposed only along the entire length or a portion of the conductive lip 43, the cost can be reduced compared to the case where the conductive material 44 is disposed along approximately the entire length from the end on the first member 2 side to the end on the second member 3 side.

[0086] Furthermore, the conductive lip 43 is not limited to being provided only once in the sealing devices 10A to 10E; multiple conductive lip 43 can be provided in any sealing device that has multiple lip 43.

[0087] According to the sealing devices 10A to 10E described above, since the above structure is adopted, when the sealing devices 10A to 10E are arranged between the first member 2 and the second member 3, it is possible to maintain an appropriate energization state.

[0088] Furthermore, in the sealing devices 10A to 10E described above, the surface of the second member 3 that is in contact with the conductive lip 43 is a surface parallel to the axis L (e.g., Figure 2 Page 1, 3b of (b) Figure 4 (b) of the outer surface 51b), but the contact surface can also be an inclined surface.

[0089] Furthermore, although the conductive lip 43 of the sealing devices 10A to 10E is exemplified as a radial lip relative to the radial surface (first surface 3b) of the second member 3, the conductive lip 43 may also be as those involved in the sixth and seventh embodiments. Figure 5 Figures (a) and (b) show the axial lip relative to the axial plane.

[0090] The sixth embodiment involves Figure 5 The sealing device 10F of (a) and Figure 2 Similar to the sealing device 10A, it integrally comprises a core rod 31, an elastic material 11, and a conductive material 44 as constituent materials. In this embodiment, the conductive material 44 is also a flexible metal mesh material.

[0091] The core rod 31 includes a core rod cylindrical portion 31a and a core rod circular plate portion 31b extending radially inward from its outer side end 31aa along its axis L. The outer diameter of the conductive material 44 is set to be smaller than the inner diameter of the core rod circular plate portion 31b of the core rod 31. In this embodiment, a lip end 41 made of elastic material 11 is disposed between the end face of the inner diameter side of the core rod circular plate portion 31b and the end face of the outer diameter side of the conductive material 44.

[0092] In this embodiment, the connecting portion 20 for electrical connection with the first member 2 is formed of an elastic material 11. The elastic material 11 is continuously disposed from the connecting portion 20 through the core portion 30 to the lip portion 40, covering approximately the entire radial length. A protrusion 21 is formed on the connecting portion 20 to engage with the groove 2a formed in the first member 2. In the core portion 30, the elastic material 11 is fixed to the outer side in the axial direction L up to the inner end 31ba of the mandrel circular plate portion 31b.

[0093] The lip 40 is composed of a lip base end 41 made of elastic material 11 and a lip plate 45 extending radially inward from the lip base end 41 and containing elastic material 11. The lip base end 41 is formed to be thicker than the lip plate 45.

[0094] The lip 45 extends radially and obliquely toward the inner side of the lip base end 41 in the direction of axis L, with a decreasing diameter.

[0095] The lip 45 serves as a conductive lip 45 of the sealing device 10F, and conductive material 44 is fixed to the conical outer surface of the conductive lip 45. An exposed portion 44a is formed on the conductive material 44, so that at least the end face of the front end portion 45a and the conical outer surface of the conductive lip 45 are exposed.

[0096] The conductive material 44 at the front end 45a of the conductive lip 45, during the rotation of the bearing device 1, such as... Figure 5As shown in (a), it slides in contact with the second surface 3c (axial surface) of the second member 3, which is approximately parallel to the radial direction. Since the surface of the conductive lip 45 that makes sliding contact is the second surface 3c, which is approximately parallel to the radial direction, the contact state of the conductive lip 45 can remain stable even if the second member 3 tilts due to the load on the bearing assembly 1.

[0097] The seventh embodiment involves Figure 5 (b) The sealing device 10G, regarding the connecting part 20 and the core material part 30, is formed to be with Figure 5 The sealing device 10F of (a) has a similar structure and shape, but regarding the lip 40, the structure and shape are similar to Figure 5 The difference between (a) and (b).

[0098] Furthermore, the object surface of the second member 3 that is in sliding contact with the conductive lip 45 is the third surface 3g of the groove portion 3e formed in the second member 3. A flange portion 3f is formed on the outer side of the groove portion 3e in the axial direction L. The protrusion of the flange portion 3f is set to be less than the radial outer diameter end of the third surface 3g.

[0099] The lip 40 is composed of a lip base end 41 made of elastic material 11 and a lip plate 45 extending radially inward from the lip base end 41 and containing elastic material 11. The lip base end 41 is formed to be thicker than the lip plate 45.

[0100] The lip 45 extends radially from the inner end of the lip base end 41 in the direction of axis L, with a decreasing diameter, and further extends inward in the direction of axis L from that end. This forms a stepped lip 45. The lip 45 is configured as a conductive lip 45.

[0101] The outer and inner surfaces of the conductive lip 45 are both stepped, and a bent conductive material 44 is fixed to the outer surface (inner side in the direction of axis L). A V-shaped portion 45b, formed by overlapping the conductive material 44 and the elastic material 11, is formed on the conductive lip 45, protruding inward in the direction of axis L. At the tip of this V-shaped portion 45b, the exposed tip 44b of the conductive material 44 makes sliding contact with the third surface 3g.

[0102] Furthermore, since the conductive lip 45 reduces its radial dimension by utilizing steps, the flange 3f does not obstruct its installation on the second member 3, allowing for easy installation. Additionally, the groove inside the V-shaped portion 45b easily traps wear particles generated by sliding contact, preventing them from flowing to the outside.

[0103] As mentioned above, Figure 5In the sealing devices 10F and 10G shown in (a) and (b), the conductive lip 45 is an axial lip, and the surface of the conductive lip 45 in sliding contact can be either a surface parallel to the radial direction (see reference). Figure 5 (a) can also be an inclined surface (see reference). Figure 5 (b)

[0104] Regarding these sealing devices 10F and 10G, it is also expected that they will have the same effect as the sealing devices 10A to 10E involved in the first to fifth embodiments, namely, maintaining a proper energized state when disposed between the first member 2 and the second member 3.

[0105] Next, refer to Figure 6 and Figure 7 The manufacturing methods of the sealing devices 10A to 10G involved in the various embodiments shown above will be described. Figure 6 This is a simplified flowchart of the manufacturing method of sealing devices 10A to 10G. Figure 7 This is a diagram that simply illustrates the manufacturing steps of another example of a sealing device 10H manufactured using this manufacturing method.

[0106] This manufacturing method utilizes a forming mold 60 to manufacture the sealing device 10H. Specifically, it involves placing a conductive material 44 and a molten material 65 (which serves as the raw material for the elastic material 11) together within the forming mold 60, and then solidifying the molten material 65 to form a conductive lip 43. More specifically, through... Figure 6 and Figure 7 The steps shown are used to manufacture the various sealing devices 10A to 10G described above. Figure 7 Illustrated sealing device 10H.

[0107] In this manufacturing method, only the upper mold 61 and the lower mold 62 are needed as the forming mold 60, but Figure 7 The illustrated sealing device 10H (see Figure 7 (c) is manufactured by further using the third mold 63.

[0108] exist Figure 7 In the sealing device 10H illustrated in (c), the connecting portion 20 and the core material portion 30 are formed to... Figure 2 The structure is roughly the same as that of (a). The arrangement order of the elastic material 11 and the core rod 31 in the core material section 30 is also similar to... Figure 2 The same as (a), starting from the inside of the axis L, are mandrel 31 and elastic material 11.

[0109] In addition, the lip 40 is also related to Figure 2Similar to (a), it has a lip base end 41 and two lips 42 and 43, which are arranged in the following order from the outside of the axis L: conductive lip 43 and another lip 42.

[0110] Conductive lip 43 and Figure 3 Similar to (a), it is formed such that its overall thickness is the same as the thickness of the conductive material 44. In the conductive lip 43, the elastic material 11 enters the voids inside the conductive material 44. As shown in the example, the conductive lip 43 is formed to be thinner.

[0111] Furthermore, the lip base end 41 is a stepped shape that is approximately bent at a right angle, forming a descending stepped shape from the core material portion 30 to the conductive lip 43, and appearing as a straight line in cross-section from the inner angle of the step at the lip base end 41 to the front end of the conductive lip 43. Additionally, regarding other components of the sealing device 10H, ... Figure 2 (a) and Figure 3 The same as (a) are marked with the same reference numerals and their descriptions are omitted.

[0112] The manufacturing method consists of the following steps.

[0113] First, the mandrel 31 and conductive material 44 are positioned at the designated locations on the forming mold 60 and the mold is closed (refer to...). Figure 6 S101, S102 and Figure 7 (a)(b)).

[0114] Next, molten material 65, which is the raw material for elastic material 11, is injected into the molding die 60 and solidified. After solidification, the molded product is removed (refer to S103-S105 and...). Figure 7 (b)(c)).

[0115] Especially for Figure 7 The manufacturing of the sealing device 10H of (c) further utilizes the third mold. Specifically, in the manufacturing of... Figure 7 When the sealing device 10H, which sets the thickness of the conductive lip 43 to be approximately the same as the thickness of the conductive material 44, is used as shown in (c), the conductive material 44 can be prevented from shifting due to the flow of the molten material 65 by pressing it with the third mold 63 when the conductive material 44 is positioned in the specified position.

[0116] Of course, it is also possible to omit the third mold 63 and instead design the upper mold 61 to have a shape that includes the thickness of the third mold 63, but as... Figure 7 As shown in (a) and (b), if a forming mold 60 for forming a thicker conductive lip 43 is used, efficient manufacturing can be achieved by simply adding a third mold 63.

[0117] According to the sealing device 10H having such a conductive lip 43, since the conductive material 44 is held from both sides in the thickness direction within the forming mold 60, it is possible to suppress the conductive material 44 from shifting due to the flow of the molten material 65. If the conductive material 44 shifts, undesirable situations may occur, such as the conductive material 44 entering the other lip 42 side and not being exposed at the front end 43a of the conductive lip 43, but such undesirable situations can be prevented.

[0118] Furthermore, if this manufacturing method is adopted, since the annular or flat conductive material 44 is formed from a flexible metal mesh material, the conductive material 44 can be deformed into various shapes to match the forming mold.

[0119] For example, in manufacturing Figure 3 (b) (c) or Figure 5 In the case of sealing devices 10C, 10D, and 10F shown in (a), the flat conductive material 44 can also be easily disposed in the forming mold 60 with its inner diameter side recessed. Furthermore, like... Figure 5 The sealing device 10G, in which the conductive material 44 is bent as in (b), can also be easily manufactured using a flat conductive material 44.

[0120] In summary, if a flexible conductive material 44, such as a metal mesh material, is used, it can be easily matched with the shape of the mold cavity in the forming mold 60. As a result, a conductive lip 43 can be formed by deforming the flat conductive material 44 into the desired shape.

[0121] The raw material for the conductive material 44 in the sealing devices 10A to 10H is not limited to metal mesh materials; it can also be a sheet metal material with through holes, such as a flexible stamped metal sheet. Even in this case, the conductive material 44 can ensure the required flexibility due to the through holes. Furthermore, the conductive material 44 can also be made of a sheet metal material without through holes, as long as the required flexibility can be ensured. Moreover, the raw material for the conductive material 44 is not limited to metal materials; a conductive resin film can also be used.

[0122] The sealing devices 10A to 10H described above are merely examples. Furthermore, the overall shape of the sealing devices 10A to 10H is a design consideration, and it is self-evident that they can be appropriately changed to shapes other than those shown in the figures, depending on the shape of the bearing assembly 1 to which they are installed.

[0123] Furthermore, the sealing device in this invention is not limited to application to the bearing assembly 1; for example, it can also be applied to an oil seal installed between the housing and the rotating shaft. Moreover, it is not limited to bearing seals or oil seals; any device that seals between the relatively rotating first and second components can be a seal for other purposes.

[0124] Furthermore, the manufacturing method of the sealing devices 10A to 10H is not limited to the above-mentioned method, and various methods can be used, which goes without saying.

[0125] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures 1. Bearing assembly 2. Component 1 2a Groove 2b mating surface 3. Component 2 3a Step section 3b Page 1 3C Page 2 3D outer surface 3e Groove 3f Flange 3g Page 3 5-axis 6. Sealed space 7. Rolling element 10A~10H Sealing devices 11 Elastic Materials 15 Sealing components 20 Connecting parts 21. Protruding part 22 Crimping section 30 Core Material Department 31 mandrels 31a Mandrel cylindrical section 31aa Lateral end 31b Mandrel Circular Plate Section 31ba inner end 40 Lips 41. Lip base tip 42 Lip Plates 43 Conductive lip plates (lip plates, radial lip plates) 43a Front end 44 Conductive Materials 44a Exposed area 44b Exposed tip 45 Conductive lip (lip, axial lip) 45a Front end 45b V-shaped part 50 oil slinger ring 51 First cylindrical section 51a Lateral end 51b outer surface 52 Oil-sparging ring plate section 52a Outer end 52b Side View 53 Second cylindrical section 60 Forming Die 61 upper mold 62 Lower mold 63. Mock Exam 3 65. Molten material.

Claims

1. A sealing device comprising an elastic material, wherein when installed between a first member and a second member that are rotating relative to each other, the sealing device enables electrical connection between the first member and the second member, characterized in that, have: A connecting portion capable of being electrically connected to the first component; and The lip that contacts the object surface on the side of the second component. The lip includes: a lip base end; and a conductive lip extending from the lip base end toward the object surface, the conductive lip comprising the elastic material, and integrally comprising a conductive material having conductivity at least at its front end. The lip base is mainly composed of the elastic material.

2. The sealing device as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that, The elastic material is conductive rubber and is continuously disposed from the connecting portion to the front end of the conductive lip.

3. The sealing device as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The lip base is formed to not contain the conductive material.

4. The sealing device as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that, It is provided with a core portion extending radially, and the lip base end is located between the core portion and the conductive material.

5. The sealing device as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that, The conductive material is generally linear in cross-section and is formed by overlapping with the elastic material.

6. The sealing device as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that, The conductive material is a metal mesh material woven from fine metal wires. The elastic material is impregnated in the metal mesh material and fixed to the conductive material.

7. The sealing device as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that, The conductive material is a metallic material, and multiple through holes are formed on the metallic material. The elastic material is fixed to the conductive material by wrapping around the through hole.

8. The sealing device as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that, The lip has a plurality of lip plates, at least one of which is designated as the conductive lip plate, and the conductive lip plate is formed to be disposed on the axially outer side.

9. The sealing device as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that, The connecting portion has a protruding part that engages with a groove formed in the first member.

10. The sealing device as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that, The lip base end has a constricted shape when viewed in cross-section.

11. A bearing device, characterized in that, The sealing device as described in any one of claims 1 to 10 is installed between the outer ring, which is the first component, and the inner ring, which is the second component.

12. A method for manufacturing a sealing device, comprising using a molding die to manufacture a sealing device containing an elastic material, the sealing device being capable of electrically connecting the first component and the second component when installed between the two relatively rotating components. The sealing device includes: A connecting portion capable of being electrically connected to the first component; and The lip that contacts the object surface on the side of the second component. The lip includes: a lip base end; and a conductive lip extending from the lip base end toward the object surface, the conductive lip comprising the elastic material, and integrally comprising a conductive material having conductivity at least at its front end. In the manufacturing method of the sealing device, the conductive material and the molten material, which is the raw material of the elastic material, are disposed together in the forming mold, and the molten material is solidified to form the conductive lip.

13. The method for manufacturing the sealing device as described in claim 12, characterized in that, The conductive material is configured as a flat plate. The conductive material can be disposed within the forming mold in a deformed state.

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