Magnetic powder removal device and housing component

Abstract

To provide an improved and novel magnetic powder removal device and housing component housed in a case of a power transmission device, which have fewer inconveniences, for example, can be made lighter and can be attached more easily and reliably.SOLUTION: A magnetic powder removal device comprises, for example, a housing component made of synthetic resin, which is attached to a case of a power transmission device in a state of housing a rotary member and oil in the case and has at least a lower part immersed in oil; and a magnet that is held only by the housing component in a state where the magnet is prevented from falling off regardless of the posture of the housing component, is immersed in oil when the housing component is attached to the case, and attracts magnetic powder contained in the oil.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a magnetic powder removing device and a contained component. [Background technology]

[0002] BACKGROUND ART Conventionally, a structure is known in which a recess for supporting a magnet is provided in a bearing housing accommodated in a transmission case, and iron powder is removed by the magnet (for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2019-210992 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the structure of Patent Document 1, the bearing housing is made of metal, so the weight of the transmission increases by the amount of the part that holds the magnet in the bearing housing. Also, since the magnet is held in a position between the bearing housing and the case and cannot be held by the bearing housing alone, there is a risk that the magnet will fall off when the bearing housing is attached to the case.

[0005] Therefore, the object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved magnetic powder removal device and housing parts that are less inconvenient as a magnetic powder removal device and housing parts housed within a power transmission device case, for example, by being lighter in weight and being easier and more securely installed. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The magnetic powder removal device of the present invention comprises, for example, a housing component made of synthetic resin material that is attached to a case of a power transmission device that contains a rotating member and oil, with at least its lower portion immersed in the oil, and a magnet that is held by the housing component alone in a state that prevents it from falling off regardless of the position of the housing component, is immersed in the oil when the housing component is attached to the case, and attracts magnetic powder contained in the oil.

[0007] In the magnetic powder removal device, the storage component may have a snap-fit ​​mechanism that allows the magnet to move from outside the storage component toward a predetermined holding position and restricts movement from the holding position to outside the storage component.

[0008] In the magnetic powder removal device, the storage component has a first member facing the inner surface of the case and a plate-shaped second member joined to the first member and having a planar outer surface that intersects with the axial direction of the rotation axis of the rotating member, and the magnet may be positioned between the first member and the second member in the axial direction.

[0009] In the magnetic powder removal device, the magnet may be covered by the second member on the side opposite the first member, and the second member may have an opening on the side opposite the first member that partially exposes the magnet.

[0010] In the magnetic powder removal device, the housing component may be provided with a hollow portion surrounded by the first member and the second member, and containing gas in a substantially sealed state without allowing the oil to penetrate.

[0011] The housing component of the present invention is housed, for example, in a case of a power transmission device that houses a rotating member and oil, is attached to the case, has at least a lower portion immersed in the oil, is made of a synthetic resin material, and has a hollow portion that houses gas in a substantially sealed state without allowing the oil to penetrate.

[0012] The housing part may have a planar outer surface that intersects with the rotation axis of the rotating member. [Effects of the Invention]

[0013] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a new and improved magnetic powder removal device and housing parts that are housed within a power transmission device case and that have fewer inconveniences, for example, by being lighter in weight and being easier and more securely installed. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0014] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is an exemplary schematic front view of a part of a case of a power transmission device and a magnetic powder removing device according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is an exemplary schematic exploded perspective view of a part of the case of the power transmission device and the magnetic powder removing device according to the embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is an exemplary schematic perspective view of the magnetic powder removing device according to the embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is an exemplary schematic exploded perspective view of the magnetic powder removing device according to the embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is an exemplary schematic perspective view of a portion of the magnetic powder removing device according to the embodiment, as viewed from the bottom and rear side. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is an exemplary schematic front view of a part of a second member and a magnet included in a magnetic powder removing device according to an embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VII-VII in FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0015] Exemplary embodiments and modifications of the present invention are disclosed below. The configurations of the embodiments and modifications shown below, as well as the actions and results (effects) brought about by these configurations, are merely examples. The present invention can also be realized by configurations other than those disclosed in the following embodiments and modifications. Furthermore, according to the present invention, it is possible to obtain at least one of the various effects (including derivative effects) obtained by the configurations.

[0016] In this specification, ordinal numbers may be assigned for convenience to distinguish directions, parts, members, mechanisms, etc. Furthermore, ordinal numbers do not indicate priority or order, nor do they specify numbers.

[0017] In each drawing, the X direction is represented by an arrow X, the Y direction is represented by an arrow Y, and the Z direction is represented by an arrow Z. The X direction, Y direction, and Z direction intersect with each other and are perpendicular to each other. The X direction is the direction along the rotation axis of the rotating member (axial direction), and the Z direction is vertically upward. For convenience, in this specification, a view viewed in the direction opposite the X direction is referred to as a front view.

[0018] [Embodiment] [Magnetic powder removal device mounting structure to case] FIG. 1 is a front view of a part of a case 110 and a magnetic powder removing device 10 of a power transmission device 100 according to an embodiment, viewed in the opposite direction to the X direction, that is, viewed from inside the case 110. FIG.

[0019] The case 110 accommodates rotating members such as shafts and gears that rotate around a rotation axis Ax, oil (neither of which is shown), and the like. The oil is accommodated in the case 110 to ensure lubrication of the rotating members, prevent wear, and reduce temperature. The oil accumulates at the bottom of the case 110. In FIG. 1, an example of the oil level when the power transmission device 100 is in a non-operating state is shown as oil level Lo. The power transmission device 100 is a device that transmits rotational power by the rotation of rotating members, such as a transaxle.

[0020] The magnetic powder removing device 10 has a storage component 20 stored in a case 110, and a magnet 30 held by the storage component 20. The storage component 20 may also be referred to as a holding component.

[0021] 1, the power transmission device 100 is configured so that the magnet 30 is located below the oil level Lo (its average value or lower limit) when the magnetic particle removal device 10 is attached in a predetermined position. With this configuration, the magnet 30 can attract and remove magnetic particles, such as iron particles, contained in the oil.

[0022] 1, the power transmission device 100 is configured so that, with the magnetic powder removal device 10 attached in a predetermined position, at least the lower portion of the accommodated component 20 is positioned below the oil level Lo (its average value or lower limit). As a result, the portion of the accommodated component 20 immersed in oil can expel oil by the volume of the accommodated component 20, making it possible to raise the oil level Lo compared to when the accommodated component 20 is not immersed in oil. In other words, the amount of oil required to ensure the required oil level Lo can be reduced compared to when the accommodated component 20 is not immersed. Furthermore, this configuration also has the effect of reducing the agitation resistance of the oil in the power transmission device 100 by the amount of oil that can be reduced.

[0023] Furthermore, the contained component 20 is made of a synthetic resin material such as polycaprolactam, which provides the effect of reducing the weight of the magnetic powder removing device 10 compared to when the contained component 20 is made of a metal material.

[0024] 2 is an exploded perspective view of a portion of case 110 and magnetic powder removal device 10 as viewed from inside case 110. Housed component 20 is attached to case 110. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 2, a bolt (not shown) passing through through hole 20b provided in housed component 20 is fastened to female threaded hole 111c provided in side wall 111 of case 110, thereby attaching housed component 20, magnet 30, and magnetic powder removal device 10 to case 110. Note that the attachment structure of housed component 20 to case 110 is not limited to that shown in FIG. 2.

[0025] Case 110 is also provided with recess 111b recessed in the opposite direction to the X direction. Component 20, and therefore magnetic powder removal device 10, is attached to case 110 so as to partially fill recess 111b.

[0026] An inner surface 111a, which is a concave curved surface of the recess 111b of the side wall 111, faces a first outer surface 21a4, which is a convex curved surface of the housed component 20. A small gap is provided between the inner surface 111a and the first outer surface 21a4.

[0027] The second outer surface 20a of the housing component 20, which is located on the opposite side of the first outer surface 21a4 in the X direction, is formed in a plane that intersects with the axial direction (X direction) of the rotation axis Ax. This second outer surface 20a can function as a baffle surface that rectifies the flow of oil that accompanies the rotation of the rotating member. The second outer surface 20a has the effect of reducing the agitation resistance of the oil in the power transmission device 100. The second outer surface 20a is an example of an outer surface.

[0028] [Structure of magnetic powder removal device] Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the magnetic powder removing device 10. As shown in Fig. 3, the storage component 20 has a first member 21 and a second member 22. The first outer surface 21a4 is the surface of the first member 21, and the second outer surface 20a is the surface of the second member 22.

[0029] The magnet 30 is held in the storage component 20 while being positioned between the first member 21 and the second member 22 in the X direction. In the view of FIG. 3, the magnet 30 is located behind the second member 22. In other words, the magnet 30 is covered by the second member 22 on the side opposite the first member 21 and the inner surface 111a (see FIG. 2). However, in this configuration, the second member 22 has an opening 20c that partially exposes the magnet 30 in the X direction. This allows a worker or a robot to visually or optically check the presence or absence of the magnet 30 from the side opposite the first member 21 relative to the second member 22. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 1, when the magnetic powder removal device 10 is attached to the side wall 111 of the case 110, the presence or absence of the magnet 30 can be identified through the opening 20c. The structure for holding the magnet 30 by the storage component 20 will be described later.

[0030] FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the magnetic powder removing device 10. The first member 21 has a container-like structure that is open in the X direction. Specifically, the first member 21 includes a container portion 21a having a wall portion 21a1 that forms a side wall and a bottom wall. The container portion 21a is provided with a recess 21a2 that is surrounded by the wall portion 21a1 and opens in the X direction. A plate-like flange portion 21b that protrudes from the wall portion 21a1 and intersects with the X direction is provided at a position offset in the opposite direction from the X direction end portion 21a3 of the wall portion 21a1. The end portion 21a3 has a circumferential (endless) shape that extends on an imaginary plane that intersects with the X direction along the periphery of the open end of the recess 21a2. The end portion 21a3 protrudes in the X direction relative to the flange portion 21b. In this configuration, two through holes 20b are provided in the flange portion 21b. Furthermore, flange portion 21b located at the end opposite in the Z direction is provided with opening 20d to which magnet 30 is attached. With first member 21 and second member 22 assembled, magnet 30 is brought close to opening 20d substantially along the Z direction and attached as shown in Fig. 4. Attachment of magnet 30 to housed component 20 will be described later.

[0031] The second member 22 has a plate-like shape that extends substantially intersecting the X direction. The first member 21 and the second member 22 are joined together with the planar surface 22a of the second member 22 in contact with the entire periphery of the circumferential end portion 21a3 of the first member 21, thereby forming the storage component 20. The end portion 21a3 and the surface 22a are joined by, for example, ultrasonic welding, but the joining method is not limited thereto. The surface 22a may be an end face provided at the tip of a circumferential rib (wall portion), or the like.

[0032] By joining the first member 21 and the second member 22, the second member 22 closes the open end of the recess 21a2 provided in the first member 21. This results in a hollow portion in which a gas (air) is accommodated in a substantially sealed state being provided in the accommodated component 20. In order to ensure the oil repelling ability of the accommodated component 20, the required airtightness and liquidtightness are ensured at the joint between the end 21a3 and the surface 22a so that oil does not infiltrate into the hollow portion.

[0033] 4, the section of the first member 21 located at the end opposite the Z-direction from the circumferential end 21a3 is curved in an inverted U-shape so as to bypass the opening 20d in the Z-direction. Accordingly, the second member 22, when assembled, is provided with a flange portion 22b that protrudes in the opposite Z-direction from the joint with the end 21a3. The flange portion 22b covers the opening 20d in the X-direction and overlaps in the X-direction with the flange portion 21b adjacent to the opening 20d in the Y-direction and in the opposite direction from the Y-direction. A holding structure for the magnet 30 is provided in the flange portion 22b and the flange portion 21b that overlaps with the flange portion 22b in the X-direction.

[0034] [Magnet holding structure] Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the magnetic powder removal device 10, showing the lower part of the magnetic powder removal device 10 (the area surrounding the opening 20d) as viewed from the bottom and back side (the side opposite the first member 21 relative to the second member 22). Fig. 6 is a front view of the lower part of the magnetic powder removal device 10, excluding the first member 21 for convenience, showing the second member 22 and the magnet 30 as viewed in the opposite direction of the X direction. Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VII-VII of Fig. 5.

[0035] 5 and 6, the magnet 30 has a rectangular frame or ladder shape, and includes two parallel vertical members 31 that form part of the frame, and two protrusions 32. The protrusions 32 extend from each vertical member 31 so as to be spaced apart from the other vertical member 31. The thickness of the protrusions 32 in the X direction is set smaller than the thickness of the vertical members 31 in the X direction.

[0036] As shown in FIGS. 5 to 7, the magnet 30 positioned at the holding position P1 in the X direction is located between the flange portion 21b of the first member 21 (hereinafter also referred to as the first flange portion 21b) and the flange portion 22b of the second member 22 (hereinafter also referred to as the second flange portion 22b). Specifically, the magnet 30 is located between a guide rib 21c (see FIGS. 5 to 7) provided on the edge of the opening 20d of the first flange portion 21b and the second flange portion 22b (see FIGS. 5 and 7). The guide rib 21c is provided on the end of the first flange portion 21b on the opposite side in the X direction. The thickness of the guide rib 21c is set to be thinner than the thickness of the thickest portion of the first flange portion 21b. In this configuration, as shown in Figures 5 to 7, the housing component 20 supports the end of the protrusion 32 opposite to the X direction with the guide rib 21c, and as shown in Figures 5 and 7, the housing component 20 supports the end of the vertical member 31 in the X direction with the second flange portion 22b, thereby holding the magnet 30 in the X direction.

[0037] In the Y direction, the magnet 30 positioned at the holding position P1 is positioned between two guide ribs 21c of the first flange portion 21b that are spaced apart in the Y direction, as shown in Figures 5 and 6. That is, the housed component 20 holds the magnet 30 in the Y direction by the two guide ribs 21c.

[0038] 5 to 7, the magnet 30 positioned at the holding position P1 in the Z direction is located between the two claws 20e of the first flange portion 21b and an edge 20d1 located at the Z-direction end of the opening 20d. Specifically, the two claws 20e protrude toward each other from opposite Z-direction ends of the edges on both sides of the opening 20d in the Y direction, and extend while curving in the Z direction toward the tip. In this configuration, the housed component 20 supports the opposite Z-direction ends of the protrusion 32 with the tips of the two claws 20e and supports the Z-direction end of the frame of the magnet 30 with the edge 20d1, thereby holding the magnet 30 in the Z direction, as shown in FIGS.

[0039] In this way, by restricting the movement of the magnet 30 located at the holding position P1 in the X, Y, and Z directions to within a small gap, the contained component 20 can hold the magnet 30 by itself in a state where it will not fall off regardless of the position of the contained component 20.

[0040] [Magnet installation] As shown in FIG. 6 , the two claws 20e on the first flange portion 21b and the two protrusions 32 on the magnet 30 form a snap-fit ​​mechanism. The holding position P1 of the magnet 30 is set within the opening 20d, and the magnet 30 is pressed toward the holding position P1 by an operator or a robot from the open side of the opening 20d, i.e., the lower side, toward the inner side, i.e., the upper side. The distance between the tips of the two protrusions 32 is set narrower than the distance between the two claws 20e. Furthermore, when the magnet 30 moves from a position P2 before the holding position P1 to the holding position P1, the two protrusions 32 press the two claws 20e to widen the gap between them, thereby elastically deforming the two claws 20e and widening the gap between them. This configuration allows the magnet 30 to be pressed by an operator or a robot from a position outside the contained component 20 to the holding position P1 via position P2. On the other hand, even if an inertial force, such as gravity or vibration, acts on the magnet 30 in a direction away from the holding position P1 (in a direction substantially opposite to the Z direction), the two claws 20e are configured so that the gap between them does not widen due to the force acting from the two protrusions 32. This configuration can be achieved by the shapes of the two claws 20e and the two protrusions 32, the rigidity of the two claws 20e, and the like. That is, the snap-fit ​​mechanism maintains the magnet 30 positioned at the holding position P1. Thus, in this embodiment, the two protrusions 32 and the two claws 20e form a snap-fit ​​mechanism that allows the magnet 30 to move from outside the housed component 20 toward the holding position P1 and restricts its movement from the holding position P1 to outside the housed component 20. This configuration allows the magnet 30 to be attached to the housed component 20 more easily and quickly. In this embodiment, because the housed component 20 is made of a synthetic resin material, it can be said that such a snap-fit ​​mechanism is easier to configure than when it is made of a metal material.

[0041] In addition, in this configuration, the protrusion 32 constitutes the pressing portion of the snap-fit ​​mechanism, and is also used to hold the magnet 30 by the storage component 20. This configuration has the effect of further simplifying the configuration of the magnetic powder removal device 10 compared to when the snap-fit ​​mechanism and the structure for holding the magnet 30 by the storage component 20 are configured separately.

[0042] As described above, in this embodiment, the contained component 20 is made of a synthetic resin material, and the magnet 30 is held in a state in which it will not fall off, regardless of the position of the contained component 20, solely by the contained component 20. This configuration has the advantages of making the magnetic powder removal device 10 lighter, and allowing the magnetic powder removal device 10 to be attached to the case 110 more easily and reliably without causing the magnet 30 to fall off, for example.

[0043] Furthermore, in this embodiment, at least the lower portion of the accommodated component 20 is immersed in the oil in the case 110. With this configuration, the amount of oil required to ensure the required oil level Lo can be reduced by the amount that can be expelled by the accommodated component 20, and as a result, the effect of reducing the agitation resistance of the oil can be obtained.

[0044] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the storage component 20 has a snap-fit ​​mechanism that allows the magnet 30 to move toward the holding position P1 and restricts it from moving away from the holding position P1. This configuration makes it easier and faster to attach the magnet 30 to the storage component 20.

[0045] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the magnet 30 located at the holding position P1 is held in a state in which it is positioned between the first member 21 and the second member 22 in the X direction. According to this configuration, by effectively utilizing the configuration including the first member 21 and the second member 22, it is possible to relatively easily realize a configuration for holding the magnet 30 at the holding position P1.

[0046] In this embodiment, the second member 22 is provided with an opening 20c that partially exposes the magnet 30 on the side opposite to the first member 21. This configuration improves the ability to distinguish whether the magnet 30 is present or not.

[0047] In this embodiment, the housing component 20 is provided with a hollow portion that accommodates gas in a substantially sealed state without allowing oil to seep in. This configuration has the effect of making the housing component 20 lighter.

[0048] In this embodiment, the storage component 20 has a planar second outer surface 20a that intersects with the rotation axis Ax of the rotating component. This configuration allows the second outer surface 20a to straighten the oil flow and reduce the oil agitation resistance. Furthermore, the storage component 20, which reduces the agitation resistance, is made of a synthetic resin material and has a hollow portion, which results in the effect of allowing the storage component 20, and therefore the magnetic powder removal device 10, to be relatively lightweight.

[0049] While the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, they are merely examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. The above embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, combinations, and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. Furthermore, the specifications of each configuration, shape, and the like (structure, type, direction, model, size, length, width, thickness, height, number, arrangement, position, material, etc.) can be modified as appropriate.

[0050] For example, the effects obtained by the configuration of the housing component of the above embodiment can also be obtained in a configuration in which a magnet is not held. [Explanation of symbols]

[0051] 10…Magnetic powder removal device 20...Housing parts 20a…Second outer surface (outer surface) 20b...Through hole 20c…Aperture 20d…Aperture 20d1...Edge 20e...Claws (snap fit mechanism) 21...First member 21a...Container part 21a1…Wall part 21a2...recess 21a3...end 21a4…first outer surface 21b...Flange portion (first flange portion) 21c...Guide rib 22...Second member 22a…side 22b...Flange portion (second flange portion) 30...Magnet 31...Vertical member 32...Protrusion (snap fit mechanism) 100...Power transmission device 110…Case 111...Side wall 111a...Inside 111b...recess 111c...Internal thread hole Ax...rotation axis Lo…Oil level P1…Holding position P2…Position X…direction Y...direction Z…direction

Claims

1. a housing part made of a synthetic resin material, attached to a case of a power transmission device in a state where the case contains a rotating member and oil, and at least a lower part of the housing part is immersed in the oil; a magnet that is held only by the contained component so as not to fall off regardless of the position of the contained component, that is immersed in the oil when the contained component is attached to the case, and that attracts magnetic powder contained in the oil; A magnetic powder removal device comprising:

2. The magnetic powder removal device of claim 1, wherein the housing component has a snap-fit ​​mechanism that allows the magnet to move from outside the housing component toward a predetermined holding position and restricts movement from the holding position to outside the housing component.

3. the housing component includes a first member facing the inner surface of the case, and a plate-like second member joined to the first member and having a planar outer surface intersecting the axial direction of the rotation shaft of the rotation member, The magnetic powder removing device according to claim 2 , wherein the magnet is located between the first member and the second member in the axial direction.

4. the magnet is covered by the second member on the side opposite to the first member, The magnetic powder removing device according to claim 3 , wherein the second member has an opening on the opposite side to the first member, through which the magnet is partially exposed.

5. The magnetic powder removal device according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the housing part has a hollow portion surrounded by the first member and the second member, and which houses gas in a substantially sealed state without allowing the oil to penetrate.

6. The power transmission device is housed in a case that houses a rotating member and oil, attached to the case, At least the lower part is immersed in the oil, Made of synthetic resin materials, and The housing part is provided with a hollow portion that houses the gas in a substantially sealed state without allowing the oil to penetrate.

7. The container component according to claim 6 , having a planar outer surface that intersects with the rotation axis of the rotating member.

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