Bearing member, bearing structure, and method for manufacturing bearing member

Abstract

To suppress wear of an elastic body which is caused by contact (such as slide) with a housing or a shaft member.SOLUTION: A bearing member 30 to be installed in a space between a housing having a shaft hole and a shaft member in the shaft hole includes an annular elastic body 40 formed of an elastic material. One or more helical groove parts 43 having an annular shape about a reference line R along a circumferential direction of the elastic body 40 are provided in a surface of the elastic body 40.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a bearing member, a bearing structure, and a method for manufacturing a bearing member. [Background technology]

[0002] Various techniques have been proposed for correcting the tilt or eccentricity of a shaft member (hereinafter referred to as "alignment"). For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a configuration for aligning a rotating shaft using a rotating shaft seal installed between the rotating shaft and the housing. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 11-218231 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the configuration of Patent Document 1, the rotating shaft seal wears over time due to sliding against the outer circumferential surface of the rotating shaft or the inner circumferential surface of the housing. In consideration of the above circumstances, one aspect of the present disclosure aims to suppress wear of the elastic body caused by contact (e.g., sliding) with the housing or shaft member. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] In order to solve the above problems, a bearing member according to one embodiment of the present disclosure is a bearing member that is installed in the space between a housing having an axial hole and an axial member within the axial hole, and includes an annular elastic body formed from an elastic material, and the surface of the elastic body facing the housing or the axial member is formed with one or more communication passages that connect a first space within the space that is located in a first direction relative to the elastic body, and a second space within the space that is located in a second direction opposite to the first direction relative to the elastic body.

[0006] A bearing member according to another aspect of the present disclosure is a bearing member that is installed in the space between a housing having an axial hole and an axial member within the axial hole, and includes an annular elastic body formed from an elastic material, and one or more spiral grooves are provided on the surface of the elastic body, the grooves being centered on an annular reference line that runs along the circumferential direction of the elastic body.

[0007] A bearing structure according to one aspect of the present disclosure comprises a housing having an axial hole, a shaft member within the axial hole, and a bearing member installed in the space between the housing and the shaft member, wherein the bearing member includes an annular elastic body formed from an elastic material, and the surface of the elastic body facing the housing or the shaft member is formed with one or more communication passages that connect a first space within the space that is located in a first direction relative to the elastic body, and a second space within the space that is located in a second direction opposite to the first direction relative to the elastic body.

[0008] A method for manufacturing a bearing member according to one embodiment of the present disclosure includes a first step of forming a ring-shaped base member having one or more circumferentially extending grooves formed on its surface, and a second step of forming the elastic body by vulcanizing the base member while the base member is twisted around a reference line extending along the circumferential direction of the base member.

[0009] A method for manufacturing a bearing member according to another aspect of the present disclosure is a method for manufacturing a bearing member including an annular elastic body, and includes a first step of forming a long base member having one or more grooves formed on its surface along the longitudinal direction, and a second step of forming the elastic body by interconnecting both ends of the base member while it is twisted. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a side view of the bearing structure according to the first embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line III-III in FIG. 2. [Figure 4]FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line IV-IV in FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is an enlarged side view of a portion where the elastic body and the housing come into contact. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is an enlarged side view of a portion where the elastic body and the shaft member come into contact with each other. [Figure 7] 5A to 5C are process diagrams relating to a manufacturing method of a bearing member. [Figure 8] 5A to 5C are process diagrams relating to a manufacturing method of a bearing member. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of an elastic body according to a modified example. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of an elastic body according to a modified example. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of an elastic body according to a modified example. [Figure 12] FIG. 10 is a side view of an elastic body according to a modified example. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] The embodiments for carrying out the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the dimensions and scale of each element in each drawing may differ from those of the actual product. Furthermore, the embodiment described below is an exemplary embodiment that may be envisioned when carrying out the present disclosure. Therefore, the scope of the present disclosure is not limited to the embodiment exemplified below.

[0012] A: First embodiment 1 is a side view of a bearing structure 100 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. The bearing structure 100 is used in a drive mechanism (e.g., a transmission or a differential) that transmits power generated by a power source such as an internal combustion engine or an electric motor in a moving body such as an automobile. However, the use of the bearing structure 100 is arbitrary and is not limited to the above examples.

[0013] 1, the bearing structure 100 includes a housing 10, a shaft member 20, and a bearing member 30. The housing 10 is a hollow structure (housing) having a shaft hole 11. The shaft hole 11 is an opening with a circular cross section.

[0014] The shaft member 20 is a cylindrical shaft inserted into the shaft hole 11. The inner diameter of the shaft hole 11 is greater than the outer diameter of the shaft member 20. Therefore, an annular space (gap) S is formed between the inner peripheral surface of the shaft hole 11 and the outer peripheral surface of the shaft member 20. The bearing member 30 is an endless (i.e., loop-shaped) structure installed between the housing 10 and the shaft member 20.

[0015] FIG. 1 illustrates the central axis Z of the bearing member 30. Because the bearing member 30 is installed coaxially with the shaft member 20, the central axis Z can also be described as the central axis of the shaft member 20 or the shaft hole 11. In the following description, the direction along the central axis Z will be referred to as the "axial direction." The axial direction is divided into Z1 direction and Z2 direction, which are opposite to each other. In the following description, the direction of the circumference of an imaginary circle of any diameter centered on the central axis Z will be referred to as the "circumferential direction," and the direction of the radius of the imaginary circle will be referred to as the "radial direction."

[0016] The shaft member 20 rotates in one direction or both directions around the central axis Z within the shaft hole 11. The shaft member 20 also moves in the axial direction (Z1 direction, Z2 direction) within the shaft hole 11. For example, the shaft member 20 repeatedly moves back and forth along the axial direction. A mounting groove 21 is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the shaft member 20. The mounting groove 21 is a recess that is continuous around the entire circumference of the shaft member 20. The width of the mounting groove 21 is constant around the entire circumference of the shaft member 20. The bearing member 30 is accommodated inside the mounting groove 21.

[0017] The bearing member 30 is installed in the space S between the housing 10 and the shaft member 20. That is, the space S between the housing 10 and the shaft member 20 is divided by the bearing member 30 into a first space S1 and a second space S2. The first space S1 is an internal space located in the Z1 direction of the bearing member 30. The first space S1 is filled with lubricating oil 50. On the other hand, the second space S2 is a space located in the Z2 direction of the bearing member 30. The lubricating oil 50 may be filled in the second space S2.

[0018] The bearing member 30 of the first embodiment includes an annular elastic body 40 made of an elastic material. The elastic material used to form the elastic body 40 is, for example, various rubber materials. For example, various rubber materials such as chloroprene rubber (CR), silicone rubber (SR), acrylic rubber (ACM), urethane rubber (U), polyurethane rubber (PUR), vinyl methyl silicone rubber (VMQ), ethylene propylene diene rubber (EPDM), and fluororubber (FKM) are used to form the elastic body 40. However, the material of the elastic body 40 is not limited to the above examples. For example, the elastic body 40 may be made of various elastically deformable resin materials. The elastic body 40 of the first embodiment is an integrally molded product formed by a molding technique such as injection molding or compression molding.

[0019] As explained above, in the first embodiment, the bearing member 30 is installed in the space S between the housing 10 and the shaft member 20, thereby providing cushioning between the housing 10 and the shaft member 20. Specifically, collision between the housing 10 and the shaft member 20 is alleviated, and vibration of the housing 10 and the shaft member 20 is suppressed. Furthermore, the bearing member 30 is installed in the space S, thereby achieving alignment of the shaft member 20. Specifically, the bearing member 30 suppresses tilt or eccentricity of the shaft member 20 relative to the housing 10.

[0020] Fig. 2 is a plan view of the bearing member 30 (elastic body 40). Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line III-III in Fig. 2, and Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VI-VI in Fig. 2. A reference line R is shown in Fig. 2. The reference line R is an annular imaginary line that runs along the circumferential direction of the elastic body 40. In other words, the reference line R is a curve that connects the centers of cross sections at any position on the elastic body 40.

[0021] Fig. 3 illustrates the cross-sectional shape of elastic body 40 at position C1 on reference line R. Fig. 4 illustrates the cross-sectional shape of elastic body 40 at position C2 on reference line R, which is different from position C1. As illustrated in Figs. 3 and 4, the shape of elastic body 40 in a cross section perpendicular to reference line R (hereinafter referred to as "cross-sectional shape") is polygonal. Specifically, the cross-sectional shape of elastic body 40 is a concave polygon in which some of the multiple interior angles are concave angles 41 (portions exceeding 180°).

[0022] The cross-sectional shape of the elastic body 40 in the first embodiment is a pointed star shape. A pointed star shape is a concave polygon (star-shaped polygon) whose outline is formed by extensions of each side of a regular polygon having at least one regular pentagon. Figures 3 and 4 show an example of an elastic body 40 whose cross-sectional shape is a pentagram shape. The pentagram shape is a rotationally symmetric figure in which five concave angles 41 and five convex angles 42 (interior angles less than 180°) are alternately arranged in the circumferential direction.

[0023] As illustrated in FIG. 2, a plurality of grooves 43 are formed on the surface of the elastic body 40. Each groove 43 is a depression corresponding to a reentrant angle 41 in the cross-sectional shape of the elastic body 40. That is, each groove 43 is a curved depression formed by connecting the reentrant angles 41 of the cross-sectional shape at any position on the reference line R along the reference line R. Therefore, a number of grooves 43 corresponding to the number of reentrant angles 41 in the cross-sectional shape of the elastic body 40 are formed on the surface of the elastic body 40. For example, five grooves 43 are formed in the elastic body 40 of the first embodiment, which has a pentagram-shaped cross-section. Note that in FIG. 1, the grooves 43 are formed only in a portion of the elastic body 40 in the circumferential direction, and the grooves 43 are not shown in the other portions.

[0024] As illustrated in FIG. 2, each of the multiple grooves 43 is formed in a spiral shape centered on the reference line R of the elastic body 40. That is, each groove 43 is a locus of points that moves along the reference line R while rotating around the reference line R. Therefore, the cross-sectional shape of the elastic body 40 passing through a position C1 on the reference line R (FIG. 3) differs from the cross-sectional shape of the elastic body 40 passing through a position C2 on the reference line R (FIG. 4) at an angle around the reference line R. Each groove 43 extends over the entire circumference around the reference line R. That is, the angle through which the cross-sectional shape of the elastic body 40 rotates around the reference line R during one rotation along the reference line R exceeds 360°.

[0025] 5 is an enlarged side view of the contact portion between the elastic body 40 and the housing 10. That is, the outer surface of the elastic body 40 in the radial direction is shown in FIG.

[0026] 5 is a region of the elastic body 40 that comes into contact with the inner circumferential surface of the axial hole 11 in the housing 10. The contact region Xa is a band-shaped region between the edge portion Ea1 and the edge portion Ea2, and extends in the circumferential direction around the entire circumference of the elastic body 40. The edge portion Ea1 and the edge portion Ea2 are parallel to each other, and the edge portion Ea2 is located in the Z2 direction from the edge portion Ea1. The space located in the Z1 direction from the contact region Xa is the first space S1, and the space located in the Z2 direction from the contact region Xa is the second space S2.

[0027] As illustrated in FIG. 5 , each groove 43 of the elastic body 40 extends from a point in the Z1 direction beyond the edge Ea1 to a point in the Z2 direction beyond the edge Eb1. That is, each groove 43 extends across the contact area Xa. Therefore, the portion of each groove 43 located within the contact area Xa functions as a communication passage 45 that connects the first space S1 and the second space S2. A plurality of communication passages 45 are periodically arranged in the circumferential direction around the entire circumference of the elastic body 40. That is, the first space S1 and the second space S2 are connected to each other via the plurality of communication passages 45.

[0028] As explained above, a plurality of communication passages 45 that communicate between the first space S1 and the second space S2 are formed in the surface (contact area Xa) of the elastic body 40 that faces the housing 10. Each communication passage 45 is formed by a groove portion 43 of the elastic body 40. The lubricating oil 50 filled in the first space S1 is held within the communication passages 45 of the elastic body 40. That is, an oil film of the lubricating oil 50 is formed between the elastic body 40 and the housing 10. Therefore, according to the first embodiment, wear of the elastic body 40 due to contact (e.g., sliding) with the housing 10 can be suppressed.

[0029] 6 is an enlarged side view of the contact portion between the elastic body 40 and the shaft member 20. That is, the radially inner surface of the elastic body 40 is shown in FIG.

[0030] 6 is a region of the elastic body 40 that comes into contact with the outer peripheral surface of the shaft member 20 (specifically, the bottom surface of the mounting groove 21). The contact region Xb is a band-shaped region between the edge Eb1 and the edge Eb2, and extends in the circumferential direction around the entire circumference of the elastic body 40. The edge Eb1 and the edge Eb2 are parallel to each other, and the edge Eb2 is located in the Z2 direction from the edge Eb1. The space located in the Z1 direction from the contact region Xb is the first space S1, and the space located in the Z2 direction from the contact region Xb is the second space S2.

[0031] As illustrated in FIG. 6 , each groove 43 of the elastic body 40 extends from a point further in the Z1 direction than the edge Eb1 to a point further in the Z2 direction than the edge Eb1. That is, each groove 43 extends across the contact area Xb. Therefore, the portion of each groove 43 located within the contact area Xb functions as a communication passage 46 that connects the first space S1 and the second space S2. A plurality of communication passages 46 are periodically arranged in the circumferential direction around the entire circumference of the elastic body 40. That is, the first space S1 and the second space S2 are connected to each other via the plurality of communication passages 46.

[0032] As explained above, a plurality of communication passages 46 that communicate between the first space S1 and the second space S2 are formed on the surface of the elastic body 40 facing the shaft member 20. Each communication passage 46 is formed by a groove portion 43 of the elastic body 40. The lubricating oil 50 filled in the first space S1 is held within the communication passages 46 of the elastic body 40. That is, an oil film of the lubricating oil 50 is formed between the elastic body 40 and the shaft member 20. Therefore, according to the first embodiment, wear of the elastic body 40 due to contact (e.g., sliding) with the shaft member 20 can be suppressed.

[0033] In the first embodiment, the communication passages 45 and 46 are formed by the reentrant angles 41 (i.e., grooves 43) in the pointed star-shaped cross section of the elastic body 40. Therefore, the communication passage 45 between the elastic body 40 and the housing 10 and the communication passage 46 between the elastic body 40 and the shaft member 20 can be formed evenly. Therefore, wear of the elastic body 40 caused by both contact with the housing 10 and contact with the shaft member 20 can be effectively suppressed.

[0034] B: Manufacturing method of bearing member 30 FIG. 7 is a process diagram of the method for manufacturing the bearing member 30 described above.

[0035] In the first step P1, the base member 60a is formed from an elastic material. The base member 60a is an annular member having a plurality of circumferential grooves 43 formed on its surface. The cross-sectional shape of the base member 60a is a pointed star shape (specifically, a five-pointed star shape).

[0036] The base member 60a can be formed by any method, for example, injection molding, compression molding, or other molding techniques. The first step P1 includes a vulcanization process in which a vulcanizing agent is added to an elastic material and then heated and pressurized. However, in the vulcanization process of the first step P1, the heating and pressurizing conditions are selected so that the base member 60a is not completely vulcanized to the final target hardness.

[0037] In the second step P2 after the first step P1, the base member 60a is hardened by vulcanization to form the elastic body 40. In the second step P2, the vulcanization is performed in a state in which the base member 60a is twisted around a reference line R along the circumferential direction of the base member 60a. For example, the base member 60a is held in a cylindrical jig 70 in a state in which it is twisted around the reference line R, and the vulcanization is performed while the base member 60a is held in the jig 70.

[0038] The second step P2 produces an elastic body 40 in which a plurality of grooves 43 are formed in a spiral shape centered on the reference line R. As described above, the vulcanization process for hardening the elastic material is carried out in two steps: a first step P1 for producing a base member 60a in which a plurality of grooves 43 are formed in an annular shape, and a second step P2 for producing an elastic body 40 in which a plurality of grooves 43 are formed in a spiral shape.

[0039] According to the manufacturing method exemplified above, the elastic body 40 having a plurality of spirally formed grooves 43 can be manufactured by a simple process of vulcanizing the annular base member 60a in a twisted state.

[0040] C: Second embodiment A second embodiment will be described. In the following embodiments, elements that have the same functions as those in the first embodiment will be denoted by the same reference numerals as those in the first embodiment, and detailed descriptions thereof will be omitted as appropriate.

[0041] In the second embodiment, the method for manufacturing the bearing member 30 differs from that in the first embodiment. Figure 8 is a process diagram of the method for manufacturing the bearing member 30 in the second embodiment.

[0042] In the first step P1, a base member 60b is formed from an elastic material. The base member 60b of the second embodiment is a long, linearly extending member. The base member 60b includes an end portion 61 and an end portion 62. The end portion 61 and the end portion 62 are located on opposite sides of each other in the longitudinal direction. A plurality of grooves 43 are formed on the surface of the base member 60b. The plurality of grooves 43 are depressions that extend linearly along the longitudinal direction of the base member 60b. The cross-sectional shape of the base member 60b is a pointed star shape (specifically, a five-pointed star shape).

[0043] The base member 60b can be formed by any method, for example, injection molding, compression molding, or other molding techniques. The first step P1 includes a vulcanization process in which a vulcanizing agent is added to an elastic material and then heated and pressurized. However, in the vulcanization process of the first step P1, the heating and pressurizing conditions are selected so that the base member 60a is not completely vulcanized to the final target hardness.

[0044] In the second step P2 after the first step P1, the end 61 and end 62 of the base member 60b are connected to each other while the base member 60b is twisted, thereby forming the elastic body 40. Any method can be used to connect the two ends (ends 61 and 62) of the base member 60b, and examples include joining processes such as adhesion or fusion. Since the two ends are joined while the base member 60b is twisted, the elastic body 40 is manufactured with a plurality of grooves 43 formed in a spiral shape centered on the reference line R.

[0045] The second step P2 may include a vulcanization treatment for the base member 60b. That is, in the second embodiment, similarly to the first embodiment, the vulcanization treatment for hardening the elastic material may be performed in two steps, a first step P1 and a second step P2.

[0046] According to the manufacturing method exemplified above, an elastic body 40 having a plurality of spirally formed grooves 43 can be manufactured by a simple process of connecting both ends of a long base member 60b in a twisted state.

[0047] D: Modification Specific modified embodiments that can be added to the embodiments exemplified above are shown below. Two or more embodiments arbitrarily selected from the following examples may be combined as appropriate within the scope of not being mutually contradictory.

[0048] (1) In the above-described embodiments, the cross-sectional shape of the elastic body 40 is illustrated as a pentagram. However, the cross-sectional shape of the elastic body 40 is not limited to the above examples and can be modified as appropriate. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 9, the cross-sectional shape of the elastic body 40 may be a hexagram in which six reentrant angles 41 and six convex angles 42 are alternately arranged in the circumferential direction. The cross-sectional shape of the elastic body 40 may also be a pointed star in which the number of reentrant angles 41 or convex angles 42 is seven or more. Furthermore, the cross-sectional shape of the elastic body 40 is not limited to a pointed star. For example, the cross-sectional shape of the elastic body 40 may be a rectangle with grooves 43 formed at the four corners as illustrated in FIG. 10, or a circle with multiple grooves 43 formed on the circumference as illustrated in FIG. 11.

[0049] (2) In each of the above-described embodiments, a configuration in which a plurality of grooves 43 are formed in the elastic body 40 has been exemplified, but the number of grooves 43 formed in the elastic body 40 may be changed as desired. For example, only one groove 43 may be formed in the elastic body 40.

[0050] (3) In the above-described embodiments, the communicating passages 45 and 46 are formed by spiral grooves 43 formed in the elastic body 40. However, the method of forming the communicating passages 45 and 46 that communicate between the first space S1 and the second space S2 is not limited to the above examples. For example, as illustrated in Fig. 12, a plurality of grooves 43 extending in the circumferential direction about the reference line R may be formed in the elastic body 40 having a circular cross section. In the configuration of Fig. 12, a plurality of communicating passages (45, 46) that communicate between the first space S1 and the second space S2 are formed by the grooves 43.

[0051] 12, there is a possibility that the lubricating oil 50 may not sufficiently adhere to portions of the elastic body 40 other than the grooves 43 in the circumferential direction. Compared to the configuration of FIG. 12, in the above-described configurations (FIGS. 5 and 6) in which the communicating passages 45 and 46 are formed by the spiral grooves 43, an oil film of the lubricating oil 50 is formed over the entire circumferential direction of the elastic body 40 between the housing 10 or the shaft member 20 and the elastic body 40. Therefore, the configuration in which the grooves 43 are formed spirally has the advantage of being able to suppress wear over a wide range in the circumferential direction of the elastic body 40. In particular, in each of the above-described configurations, the grooves 43 that form the communicating passages 45 and 46 extend around the entire circumference of the reference line R. Therefore, the effect of being able to suppress wear over a wide range in the circumferential direction of the elastic body 40 is particularly remarkable.

[0052] (4) The term "nth" (n is a natural number) in this application is used only as a formal and convenient label to distinguish each element in the description and does not have any substantive meaning. Therefore, there is no room for restrictive interpretation of the position of each element or the order of manufacture based on the term "nth."

[0053] E: Notes From the above-described exemplary embodiments, the following configurations can be understood, for example.

[0054] A bearing member according to one aspect (Aspect 1) of the present disclosure is a bearing member installed in the space between a housing having a shaft hole and a shaft member within the shaft hole. The bearing member includes an annular elastic body formed of an elastic material. The surface of the elastic body facing the housing or the shaft member has one or more communication passages formed therein, connecting a first space located in a first direction relative to the elastic body with a second space located in a second direction opposite the first direction relative to the elastic body. In the above aspect, installing the bearing member in the space between the housing and the shaft member achieves cushioning between the housing and the shaft member or alignment of the shaft member with respect to the shaft hole. Furthermore, lubricating oil filled in one of the first space and the second space is retained in the communication passages of the elastic body. This reduces wear of the elastic body due to contact (e.g., sliding) with the housing or the shaft member.

[0055] The "surface of the elastic body facing the housing" refers to the area of ​​the outer surface of the elastic body that faces the inner circumferential surface of the housing, for example, the area of ​​the outer surface of the elastic body that contacts the inner circumferential surface of the shaft hole. The "surface of the elastic body facing the shaft member" refers to the area of ​​the outer surface of the elastic body that faces the outer circumferential surface of the shaft member, for example, the area of ​​the outer surface of the elastic body that contacts the outer circumferential surface of the shaft member.

[0056] In a specific example (Aspect 2) of Aspect 1, the one or more communication passages are configured as spiral grooves centered on an annular reference line that runs along the circumferential direction of the elastic body. In the above aspect, the communication passages are configured as spiral grooves. Therefore, compared to, for example, an aspect in which an annular groove running along the circumferential direction of the reference line is formed in the elastic body, wear can be suppressed over a wider range in the circumferential direction of the elastic body.

[0057] In a specific example of Aspect 2 (Aspect 3), the groove portion extends over the entire circumference around the reference line. In the above aspect, the groove portion that forms the communication passage extends over the entire circumference around the reference line. Therefore, the aforementioned effect of being able to suppress wear over a wide range in the circumferential direction of the elastic body is particularly remarkable.

[0058] A bearing member according to one aspect (Aspect 4) of the present disclosure is a bearing member installed in the space between a housing having a shaft hole and a shaft member within the shaft hole, and includes an annular elastic body formed from an elastic material, and the surface of the elastic body is provided with one or more spiral grooves centered on an annular reference line along the circumferential direction of the elastic body. In the above aspect, installing the bearing member in the space between the housing and the shaft member achieves cushioning between the housing and the shaft member or alignment of the shaft member with respect to the shaft hole. Furthermore, lubricating oil filled in one of the first space and the second space is retained in the grooves of the elastic body. Therefore, wear of the elastic body due to contact (e.g., sliding) with the housing or the shaft member can be suppressed.

[0059] In a specific example (Aspect 5) of any of Aspects 1 to 4, the cross-sectional shape of the elastic body is a pointed star shape. In the above aspects, a communication passage is formed by a reentrant angle (i.e., a groove) in the pointed star shape. Therefore, wear of the elastic body due to contact (e.g., sliding) with the housing or shaft member can be suppressed.

[0060] A bearing structure according to one aspect (aspect 6) of the present disclosure is a bearing structure comprising a housing having an axial hole, an axial member within the axial hole, and a bearing member installed in the space between the housing and the axial member, wherein the bearing member includes an annular elastic body formed from an elastic material, and the surface of the elastic body facing the housing or the axial member is formed with one or more communicating passages that connect a first space within the space that is located in a first direction relative to the elastic body, and a second space within the space that is located in a second direction opposite to the first direction relative to the elastic body.

[0061] A method for manufacturing a bearing member according to one aspect (aspect 7) of the present disclosure is a method for manufacturing a bearing member including an annular elastic body, and includes a first step of forming an annular base member having one or more circumferentially extending grooves formed on its surface, and a second step of forming the elastic body by vulcanizing the base member while the base member is twisted around a reference line extending in the circumferential direction of the base member. According to the above aspect, an elastic body having one or more spirally formed grooves can be manufactured by the simple process of vulcanizing the annular base member while it is twisted.

[0062] A method for manufacturing a bearing member according to one aspect (Aspect 8) of the present disclosure is a method for manufacturing a bearing member including an annular elastic body, and includes a first step of forming a long base member having one or more longitudinal grooves formed on its surface, and a second step of forming the elastic body by connecting both ends of the base member in a twisted state. According to the above aspect, an elastic body having one or more spiral grooves can be manufactured by the simple step of connecting both ends of the long base member in a twisted state. [Explanation of symbols]

[0063] 100...sealing structure, 10...housing, 11...shaft hole, 20...shaft member, 21...mounting groove, 30...bearing member, 40...elastic body, 41...recessed angle, 42...convex angle, 43...groove portion, 45...communicating passage, 46...communicating passage, 50...lubricating oil, 60a, 60b...base member, 70...jig

Claims

1. A bearing member installed in a space between a housing having a shaft hole and a shaft member in the shaft hole, a ring-shaped elastic body formed of an elastic material; The elastic body has a surface facing the housing or the shaft member, One or more communication paths are formed to communicate between a first space located in a first direction relative to the elastic body and a second space located in a second direction opposite to the first direction relative to the elastic body. Bearing components.

2. The one or more communication paths are formed by a spiral groove centered on a circular reference line along the circumferential direction of the elastic body. The bearing member according to claim 1.

3. The groove portion extends over the entire circumference around the reference line. The bearing member according to claim 2.

4. A bearing member installed in a space between a housing having a shaft hole and a shaft member in the shaft hole, a ring-shaped elastic body formed of an elastic material; The surface of the elastic body is provided with one or more spiral grooves centered on a circular reference line along the circumferential direction of the elastic body. Bearing components.

5. The cross-sectional shape of the elastic body is a pointed star shape. The bearing member according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

6. a housing having an axial hole; a shaft member in the shaft hole; a bearing member disposed in a space between the housing and the shaft member; A bearing structure comprising: the bearing member includes an annular elastic body formed of an elastic material, The elastic body has a surface facing the housing or the shaft member, One or more communication paths are formed to communicate between a first space located in a first direction relative to the elastic body and a second space located in a second direction opposite to the first direction relative to the elastic body. Bearing structure.

7. A method for manufacturing a bearing member including an annular elastic body, comprising: a first step of forming an annular base member having one or more grooves formed on its surface along a circumferential direction; a second step of forming the elastic body by vulcanizing and hardening the base member in a state in which the base member is twisted around a reference line along the circumferential direction of the base member; A method for manufacturing a bearing member comprising:

8. A method for manufacturing a bearing member including an annular elastic body, comprising: a first step of forming an elongated base member having one or more longitudinal grooves formed on its surface; a second step of connecting both ends of the base member to each other in a twisted state to form the elastic body; A method for manufacturing a bearing member comprising:

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