Self-adaptive adjustment lip seal

Abstract

The utility model provides a self-adaptive adjusting lip-shaped sealing element, the lip-shaped sealing element is arranged between a moving part and a fixed part and seals a gap between the moving part and the fixed part, the gap is divided into a front space and a rear space by the lip-shaped sealing element, a cavity is formed in the lip-shaped sealing element, and the cavity is communicated with the moving part and the fixed part. The cavity is communicated with an external air source through an air hole formed in the lip-shaped sealing piece. In the state that gas is introduced into the cavity, the lip-shaped sealing piece can expand towards the moving piece so as to compensate for a gap generated between the lip-shaped sealing piece and the moving piece due to abrasion. According to the lip-shaped sealing piece capable of being adjusted in the self-adaptive mode, under the conditions that a shield tunneling machine conducts long-distance tunneling and tunneling difficulty is large, the service life of the lip-shaped sealing piece can be prolonged, meanwhile, the replacement frequency of the lip-shaped sealing piece is correspondingly reduced, and the risk of equipment construction is reduced.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The utility model relates to the technical field of main drive seals for tunnel boring machines, in particular to a self-adaptive lip seal. Background Art

[0002] In recent years, with the widespread adoption of mechanized construction equipment in underground space development, shield machines have become a primary tool for tunnel construction projects. The main drive, a critical component of the shield machine, provides the power for excavation, and its service life significantly impacts the machine's lifespan. The main drive's sealing system primarily prevents impurities such as excavated soil and sand from entering the system, while also withstanding the pressure of mud and water within the soil compartment and groundwater. The reliability of this sealing system is crucial for the proper functioning of components such as the main bearings, rings, and drive box. A common sealing system used in shield machines utilizes multiple rubber lip seals. These lip seals are arranged one after another along the axial direction of the main drive, leveraging the inherent wear, oil, and heat resistance of the material, as well as the radial force of the lip, to maximize the sealing effect.

[0003] Currently, the lip seals in shield machine main drive sealing systems face a certain risk of failure during long tunneling mileage and challenging tunneling conditions. This is because the lip seals wear out over time, leading to gaps in the seal area and compromising sealing performance. Replacing the seal is typically the solution, but this results in long downtime, a complex replacement process, and risks. Utility Model Content

[0004] The purpose of the utility model is to provide a self-adaptive lip seal, which can extend the service life of the lip seal when the shield machine is engaged in long-distance excavation and the excavation is difficult, and correspondingly reduce the number of times the lip seal is replaced, thereby reducing the risk of equipment construction.

[0005] The purpose of the utility model is to provide a self-adaptive lip seal, which is arranged between a moving part and a fixed part and seals the gap between the moving part and the fixed part. The gap is divided into two spaces, a front and a rear space, by the lip seal. A chamber is formed in the lip seal, and the chamber is connected to an external air source through an air hole provided on the lip seal. When gas is introduced into the chamber, the lip seal can expand toward the moving part to compensate for the gap between the lip seal and the moving part due to wear.

[0006] When the lip seal is excessively worn, resulting in reduced sealing effect, gas is introduced into the chamber to cause the lip seal to produce a downward pressing tendency toward the moving part, thereby achieving a balance between the wear amount and the compensation amount of the lip seal, ensuring that the lip seal can maintain a good sealing effect for a long time, extending the service life of the lip seal, and avoiding the operational risks caused by the need to frequently replace failed lip seals during construction operations.

[0007] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the moving part and the fixed part are respectively a rotating shaft and a fixed ring, the lip seal is arranged between the rotating shaft and the fixed ring, the outer edge of the lip seal is connected to the inner wall of the fixed ring, and the lip of the lip seal is in sliding contact with the outer wall surface of the rotating shaft.

[0008] The lip seal can be an annular lip seal ring arranged between the rotating shaft and the fixed ring. The lip seal ring is used to seal the annular sealing cavity between the rotating shaft and the fixed ring. Specifically, it can be used inside the main drive of the shield machine to protect the main drive.

[0009] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the chamber is an annular space formed inside the lip portion and having an elliptical cross-section.

[0010] The lip portion of the lip seal is arranged toward the moving part and forms a sealing surface with the moving part. Since the cross-section of the lip portion is semicircular, the cross-section of the cavity inside it is set to an elliptical shape that basically matches the shape of the lip portion, ensuring that the side wall thickness of the lip portion is basically consistent, thereby avoiding a significant reduction in the structural strength of the lip seal due to the internal cavity.

[0011] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, at least one air hole extending in the radial direction of the rotating shaft is provided in the outer edge portion of the lip seal.

[0012] The lip seal also includes an outer edge portion connected to the lip portion, and the lip seal is fixed to the inner side of the fixing member through the outer edge portion. The air hole is opened in the outer edge portion to facilitate the chamber to be connected to the external air source through the fixing member.

[0013] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a support ring is embedded on the outer ring surface of the outer edge portion of the lip seal, and the air hole passes through the support ring.

[0014] The support ring is arranged between the lip seal and the fixing member, and can enhance the strength of the connection structure between the lip seal and the fixing member.

[0015] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a mounting groove is provided on the inner ring surface of the fixing ring at a position corresponding to the lip seal, and a sealing ring is provided in the mounting groove.

[0016] The sealing ring can enhance the air tightness between the fixing ring and the lip seal, and prevent the adaptive adjustment function of the lip seal from failing due to gas leakage.

[0017] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a gas channel communicating with the mounting groove is provided in the fixing ring, and an outlet of the gas channel is radially opposite to the air hole on the lip seal.

[0018] The gas channel is opened in the fixing member and is radially opposite to the installation position of the lip seal, so that the lip seal can be connected with the external gas source through the gas channel.

[0019] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a plurality of lip seals are provided at intervals between the rotating shaft and the fixing ring along the axial direction of the rotating shaft.

[0020] Multiple lip seals can enhance the sealing effect between the rotating shaft and the fixed ring; in the main drive of the shield machine, multiple lip seals can seal the oil in the main bearing and prevent external debris from entering the main bearing.

[0021] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a plurality of gas channels are provided in the fixing ring, and outlets of the plurality of gas channels are radially opposite to the air holes on the plurality of lip seals.

[0022] The multiple lip seals arranged between the rotating shaft and the fixed ring can achieve a balance between the amount of wear and the amount of compensation through the multiple gas channels, so that the service life of each lip seal can be extended.

[0023] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a spacer ring is provided between two adjacent lip seals to perform axial positioning on the lip seals.

[0024] The spacer ring can axially position multiple lip seals to prevent the lip seals from moving in the axial direction and causing sealing failure. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0025] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application or the prior art, the following will briefly introduce the drawings needed to be used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art. Obviously, the drawings described below only show some of the embodiments of the present application, and are not all the embodiments. Based on the embodiments in the present application, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without creative labor should belong to the scope of protection of the present application.

[0026] The drawings described herein are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present application in any way. In addition, the shapes and scale sizes of the components in the drawings are only illustrative and are used to help understand the present application, and are not specific limitations on the shapes and scale sizes of the components of the present application. Those skilled in the art can select various possible shapes and scale sizes to implement the present application according to specific circumstances under the guidance of the present application.

[0027] Figure 1 Structure diagram of the self-adaptive adjusting lip-shaped sealing piece of the present application;

[0028] Figure 2 Structure diagram of the self-adaptive adjusting lip-shaped sealing piece of the present application in the inflated state;

[0029] Figure 3 Installation structure diagram of the self-adaptive adjusting lip-shaped sealing piece of the present application.

[0030] Explanation of the reference numerals:

[0031] 10, moving part; 11, fixed part;

[0032] 20, lip-shaped sealing piece; 21, chamber; 22, air hole; 23, lip portion; 24, outer edge portion;

[0033] 30, support ring; 31, installation groove; 32, sealing ring; 33, gas passage; 34, spacing ring. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0034] In order to make those skilled in the art better understand the technical solutions in the present application, the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application will be described clearly and completely below in conjunction with the drawings of the embodiments of the present application. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some of the embodiments of the present application, not all the embodiments. Based on the embodiments in the present application, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without creative labor should belong to the scope of protection of the present application.

[0035] It should be noted that when an element is referred to as being "disposed on" another element, it may be directly on the other element or there may be an element centered thereon. When an element is referred to as being "connected to" another element, it may be directly connected to the other element or there may be an element centered thereon. The terms "vertical," "horizontal," "left," "right," and similar expressions used herein are for illustrative purposes only and do not represent the only embodiments.

[0036] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by those skilled in the art to which this invention pertains. The terms used herein in the specification of this invention are for the purpose of describing specific embodiments only and are not intended to limit the invention. The term "and / or" as used herein includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

[0037] like Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the utility model provides a self-adaptive adjustable lip seal 20, which is arranged between the moving part 10 and the fixed part 11 and seals the gap between the moving part 10 and the fixed part 11. The gap is divided into two front and rear spaces by the lip seal 20. A chamber 21 is formed in the lip seal 20, and the chamber 21 is connected to the external air source through an air hole 22 opened on the lip seal 20; when gas is passed into the chamber 21, the lip seal 20 can expand toward the moving part 10 to compensate for the gap between the lip seal 20 and the moving part 10 due to wear.

[0038] When the lip seal 20 is excessively worn and the sealing effect is reduced, gas is introduced into the chamber 21 to cause the lip seal 20 to have a downward pressure trend toward the moving part 10, thereby achieving a balance between the wear amount and the compensation amount of the lip seal 20, ensuring that the lip seal 20 can maintain a good sealing effect for a long time, extending the service life of the lip seal 20, and avoiding operational risks caused by frequent replacement of failed lip seals 20 during construction operations.

[0039] Specifically, such as Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, a gap that needs to be sealed is formed between the moving part 10 and the fixed part 11. The lip seal 20 described in the utility model is arranged in the gap to seal the gap. The lip seal 20 divides the gap into two spaces, front and back, wherein the front space is connected to the outside world, and the rear space is connected to the internal space of the equipment.

[0040] Among them, the appearance and sealing principle of the lip seal 20 are basically the same as the structure and principle of the conventional lip seal in the prior art. The lip seal 20 described in the utility model includes an integrally formed lip portion 23 and an outer edge portion 24. The outer edge portion 24 is connected to the fixed part 11 to fix the lip seal 20 in the gap between the moving part 10 and the fixed part 11. The lip portion 23 is arranged toward the moving part 10 and forms a sealing contact surface with the moving part 10.

[0041] A chamber 21 is provided inside the lip portion 23 of the lip seal 20. The chamber 21 is connected to an external air source (not shown) through an air hole 22 provided on the lip seal 20. The external air source can pass gas into the chamber 21 through the air hole 22. Since the lip seal 20 is usually made of a material with a certain elasticity (such as rubber), when gas is passed into the chamber 21, the lip portion 23 of the lip seal 20 will expand. The lip portion 23 is usually arranged at an angle, so during its expansion process, it will tend to stretch toward the moving part 10, thereby compensating for the gap between the two caused by wear; especially after a certain wear occurs to the lip portion 23, passing gas into the chamber 21 will effectively avoid the reduction of the sealing effect of the lip seal 20 after wear.

[0042] According to one embodiment of the present invention, Figure 2 As shown, the moving part 10 and the fixed part 11 are respectively a rotating shaft and a fixed ring, and the lip seal 20 is arranged between the rotating shaft and the fixed ring. The outer edge portion 24 of the lip seal 20 is connected to the inner wall of the fixed ring, and the lip portion 23 of the lip seal 20 is in sliding contact with the outer wall surface of the rotating shaft.

[0043] In this embodiment, the lip seal 20 can be a lip seal ring arranged between the rotating shaft and the fixed ring. The lip seal ring is used to seal the annular gap between the rotating shaft and the fixed ring. For example, it can be used inside the main drive of the shield machine to protect the main drive.

[0044] Furthermore, the chamber 21 is an annular space formed inside the lip portion 23 and having an elliptical cross-section; in this embodiment, the lip seal 20 is a lip seal ring arranged in the annular gap, and accordingly, the chamber 21 arranged in the lip portion 23 is also an annular space formed in the entire annular lip.

[0045] Since the cross-section of the lip portion 23 is semicircular, the cross-section of the chamber 21 inside it is set to an elliptical shape that basically matches the shape of the lip portion 23, ensuring that the side wall thickness of the lip portion 23 is basically consistent, thereby avoiding a significant reduction in the structural strength of the lip seal 20 due to the existence of the internal chamber 21.

[0046] According to one embodiment of the present invention, Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, at least one air hole 22 extending radially along the rotation axis is defined within the outer edge 24 of the lip seal 20. The lip seal 20 is secured to the inner side of the stationary member 11 via the outer edge 24. The air hole 22 is defined within the outer edge 24 to facilitate communication between the chamber 21 and an external air source via the stationary member 11 (the stationary ring).

[0047] Specifically, one end of the air hole 22 is connected to the chamber 21, and the other end is formed on the outer annular surface of the outer edge portion 24 (the contact surface between the lip seal 20 and the fixing member 11); preferably, in order to avoid excessive local gas pressure, multiple air holes 22 are evenly arranged along the circumferential direction of the lip seal 20, and each air hole 22 is connected to an external gas source.

[0048] According to one embodiment of the present invention, Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, a support ring 30 is embedded on the outer annular surface of the outer edge portion 24 of the lip seal 20, and the air hole 22 passes through the support ring 30. The support ring 30 is arranged between the lip seal 20 and the fixing member 11, which can enhance the strength of the connection structure between the lip seal 20 and the fixing member 11.

[0049] Specifically, a groove is provided on the outer ring surface of the outer edge portion 24 of the lip seal 20, and the support ring 30 is embedded in the groove to enhance the structural strength of the lip seal 20. The support ring 30 is provided with a through hole at a position corresponding to the air hole 22 to ensure the connection between the chamber 21 and the external air source.

[0050] According to one embodiment of the present invention, Figure 2 As shown, the inner surface of the retaining ring (fixing member 11) is provided with a mounting groove 31 at a position corresponding to the lip seal 20, and a sealing ring 32 is disposed within the mounting groove 31. The sealing ring 32 enhances the airtightness between the retaining ring and the lip seal 20, preventing gas leakage that could cause the lip seal 20's adaptive adjustment function to fail.

[0051] Further, such as Figure 2 As shown, a gas passage 33 is defined within the retaining ring (fixing member 11) and communicates with the mounting groove 31. The outlet of the gas passage 33 is radially opposed to the air hole 22 in the lip seal 20. One end of the gas passage 33 is located on the contact surface between the retaining ring and the lip seal 20 and communicates with the air hole 22 in the lip seal 20. The other end of the gas passage 33 passes through the retaining ring and communicates with an external air source. The chamber 21 within the lip seal 20 can communicate with the external air source through the gas passage 33.

[0052] According to one embodiment of the present invention, Figure 3As shown, a plurality of lip seals 20 are arranged between the rotating shaft and the fixed ring along the axial direction of the rotating shaft.

[0053] Multiple lip seals 20 can enhance the sealing effect between the rotating shaft and the fixed ring; in the main drive of the shield machine, multiple lip seals 20 can seal the oil in the main bearing and also prevent external debris from entering the main bearing.

[0054] Specifically, in this embodiment, three lip seals 20 are provided between the rotating shaft (moving part 10) and the fixed ring (fixed part 11), and each lip seal 20 has a chamber 21 connected to the external air source, that is, each lip seal 20 has the function of adaptive adjustment.

[0055] Further, such as Figure 3 As shown, a plurality of gas channels 33 are opened in the fixing ring, and the outlets of the plurality of gas channels 33 are radially opposite to the air holes 22 on the plurality of lip seals 20 .

[0056] The multiple lip seals 20 provided between the rotating shaft and the fixed ring can achieve a balance between the amount of wear and the amount of compensation through the multiple gas channels 33 , so that the service life of each lip seal 20 can be extended.

[0057] According to one embodiment of the present invention, Figure 2 As shown, a spacer ring 34 is provided between two adjacent lip seals 20 to axially position the lip seals 20. The spacer ring 34 can axially position the multiple lip seals 20 to prevent the lip seals 20 from moving in the axial direction and causing sealing failure.

[0058] The specific embodiments described above further illustrate the purpose, technical solutions and beneficial effects of the present invention in detail. It should be understood that the above description is only a specific embodiment of the present invention and is not intended to limit the scope of protection of the present invention. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc. made within the spirit and principles of the present invention should be included in the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. An adaptively adjustable lip seal, characterized in that: The lip seal (20) is provided between the moving part (10) and the fixed part (11) and seals the gap between the moving part (10) and the fixed part (11). The gap is divided into two spaces, front and back, by the lip seal (20). A chamber (21) is formed in the lip seal (20). The chamber (21) is connected to an external air source through an air hole (22) provided on the lip seal (20). When gas is introduced into the chamber (21), the lip seal (20) can expand toward the moving part (10) to compensate for a gap between the lip seal (20) and the moving part (10) due to wear.

2. The self-adjusting lip seal according to claim 1, characterized in that The moving part (10) and the fixed part (11) are respectively a rotating shaft and a fixed ring; the lip seal (20) is arranged between the rotating shaft and the fixed ring; the outer edge (24) of the lip seal (20) is connected to the inner wall of the fixed ring; and the lip portion (23) of the lip seal (20) is in sliding contact with the outer wall surface of the rotating shaft.

3. The self-adjusting lip seal according to claim 2, characterized in that The chamber (21) is an annular space formed inside the lip portion (23) and having an elliptical cross-section.

4. The self-adjusting lip seal according to claim 3, characterized in that At least one air hole (22) extending in the radial direction of the rotating shaft is provided in the outer edge portion (24) of the lip seal (20).

5. The self-adjusting lip seal according to claim 4, characterized in that A support ring (30) is embedded on the outer ring surface of the outer edge portion (24) of the lip seal (20), and the air hole (22) passes through the support ring (30).

6. The self-adjusting lip seal according to claim 2, characterized in that An installation groove (31) is provided on the inner ring surface of the fixing ring at a position corresponding to the lip seal (20), and a sealing ring (32) is provided in the installation groove (31).

7. The self-adjusting lip seal according to claim 6, characterized in that A gas channel (33) communicating with the mounting groove (31) is provided in the fixing ring, and an outlet of the gas channel (33) is radially opposite to the air hole (22) on the lip seal (20).

8. The self-adjusting lip seal according to claim 2, wherein: Along the axial direction of the rotating shaft, a plurality of lip seals (20) are spaced apart between the rotating shaft and the fixing ring.

9. The self-adjusting lip seal according to claim 8, characterized in that A plurality of gas channels (33) are provided in the fixing ring, and outlets of the plurality of gas channels (33) are radially opposite to the air holes (22) on the plurality of lip seals (20).

10. The self-adjusting lip seal according to claim 8, characterized in that A spacer ring (34) is provided between two adjacent lip seals (20) and is capable of axially positioning the lip seals (20).

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