Conductive structure and conductive method

Abstract

To provide a conductive structural member capable of suppressing deterioration of conductivity even when exposed to foreign matter.SOLUTION: The conductive structure 1 is a conductive structure that forms a conductive path in an annular gap. The conductive structure 1 includes a closing member 2 that closes the gap and is annular around the axis x, and a conductive passage member 3 that forms a conductive passage 4 and is annular around the axis x. The conductive passage member 3 penetrates the closing member 2 in the radial direction.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a conductive structure and a conductive method, and more particularly to a conductive structure and a conductive method for forming a conductive path in a rotating shaft. [Background technology]

[0002] For example, in vehicles equipped with electric motors, such as electric vehicles (EVs), electromagnetic noise can be generated by induced currents generated by the motor. Such electromagnetic noise can cause communication problems with AM radios and other wireless communication devices. Furthermore, such electromagnetic noise can cause electrolytic corrosion in metal components, such as bearings. For this reason, efforts have been made to eliminate such electromagnetic noise, and conductive structures that form a conductive path in a rotating shaft have been proposed. For example, a technology has been disclosed in which a conductive structure is attached to a motor housing and a disk-shaped conductive member made of a conductive material is brought into contact with the motor's rotating shaft to form a conductive path between the rotating shaft and the housing, thereby dissipating electromagnetic noise from the rotating shaft to the housing (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Special Publication No. 2019-509007 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] When a conductive structure is exposed to foreign matter such as muddy water, rainwater, or dust, corrosion such as rust may occur, resulting in a decrease in conductivity. For this reason, conventional conductive structures are provided in mechanisms that are limited in contact with foreign matter, such as mechanisms that are enclosed in a casing, in order to prevent a decrease in conductivity due to exposure to foreign matter. As such, conventional conductive structures have had limited applications.

[0005] For this reason, conventional conductive structures are required to have a configuration that can prevent a decrease in conductivity even when exposed to foreign matter.

[0006] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned problems, and its purpose is to provide a conductive structure and a conductive method that can suppress a decrease in conductivity even when exposed to foreign matter. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the conductive structure of the present invention is a conductive structure that forms a conductive path in a gap between a through hole and an axis passing through the through hole, and comprises a closing member that forms a ring-shaped sealing structure around an axis to seal the gap, and a ring-shaped conductive path member around the axis that forms the conductive path, the closing member having a seal lip formed from a ring-shaped elastic material around the axis, and a side lip formed from a ring-shaped elastic material around the axis, the seal lip is adapted to contact the axis to seal the object to be sealed, the side lip extends toward the side opposite to the seal lip in the axial direction, and is adapted to contact the axis to prevent foreign matter from entering from the opposite side, and the conductive path member is located between the seal lip and the side lip.

[0008] In order to achieve the above object, the conductive structure of the present invention is a conductive structure that forms a conductive path in an annular gap, and comprises an annular closing member around an axis that closes the gap, and an annular conductive path member around the axis that forms the conductive path, and the conductive path member radially penetrates the closing member.

[0009] In the conductive structure according to one aspect of the present invention, the closing member and the conductive path member are integral with each other.

[0010] In a conductive structure according to one embodiment of the present invention, the closing member has a first main body portion which is an annular portion around the axis, and a second main body portion which is an annular portion around the axis, and the first main body portion and the second main body portion are attachable to each other in the axial direction with the conductive passage member sandwiched therebetween.

[0011] In a conductive structure according to one aspect of the present invention, the conductive passage member has a conductive member which is a member having an annular conductivity around the axis, and the conductive member has an inner end portion which is annular around the axis, and the inner end portion is adapted to contact an inner member which forms the annular gap.

[0012] In a conductive structure according to one embodiment of the present invention, the conductive passage member has a metal member which is a ring-shaped member formed from a metal material around the axis, the conductive member and the metal member overlap in the axial direction, and the metal member is exposed on the outer periphery.

[0013] In the conductive structure according to one aspect of the present invention, the closing member is a sealing structure for sealing the gap.

[0014] In the conductive structure according to one aspect of the present invention, the gap is a gap between a through hole and an axis passing through the through hole.

[0015] In a conductive structure according to one embodiment of the present invention, the gap is a gap between a through hole and an axis passing through the through hole, the closing member is a sealing structure for sealing the gap, the first main body portion has a reinforcing ring which is a ring-shaped member around the axis, and an elastic body portion which is a member formed from an elastic material and ring-shaped around the axis attached to the reinforcing ring, the second main body portion has a support ring which is a ring-shaped member around the axis, and an elastic body portion which is a member formed from an elastic material and ring-shaped around the axis attached to the support ring, the elastic body portion of the first main body portion has an annular sealing lip that contacts the axis, and the elastic body portion of the second main body portion has an annular side lip extending toward the side opposite the first main body portion in the axial direction, and the side lip becomes larger in diameter as it approaches the opposite side in the axial direction.

[0016] A conductive structure according to one aspect of the present invention is used in a differential device, the through hole being provided in a housing of the differential device, and the shaft being an output shaft of the differential device.

[0017] In order to achieve the above object, the conductive method of the present invention is a conductive method for forming a conductive path in an annular gap, in which a conductive path member, which is a member that forms the conductive path annularly around an axis, is radially penetrated through a closing member, which is a member that is annularly around the axis and closes the gap.

[0018] In a conductive method according to one aspect of the present invention, the closing member and the conductive path member are integrated together.

[0019] A conductive method according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises dividing the closing member into a first body portion which is an annular portion around the axis and a second body portion which is an annular portion around the axis, and attaching the first body portion and the second body portion to each other in the axial direction with the conductive path member sandwiched therebetween.

[0020] In one embodiment of the conductive method of the present invention, the conductive path member is formed from a conductive member that is a member having annular conductivity around the axis, and a metal member that is a member formed from a metal material that is ring-shaped around the axis, the conductive member and the metal member are stacked in the axial direction, the metal member is exposed on the outer periphery, and the inner end of the conductive member that is ring-shaped around the axis is brought into contact with the inner member that forms the ring-shaped gap.

[0021] In a conductive method according to one aspect of the present invention, the gap is sealed by the closing member.

[0022] In the conductive method according to one aspect of the present invention, the gap is a gap between a through hole and an axis passing through the through hole.

[0023] In one embodiment of the conductive method of the present invention, the gap is a gap between a through hole and an axis passing through the through hole, and the closing member forms a sealing structure for sealing the gap, the first main body portion is formed by a reinforcing ring that is a ring-shaped member around the axis and an elastic body portion that is a member formed from an elastic material that is ring-shaped around the axis and attached to the reinforcing ring, the second main body portion is formed by a support ring that is a ring-shaped member around the axis and an elastic body portion that is a member formed from an elastic material that is ring-shaped around the axis and attached to the support ring, the elastic body portion of the first main body portion is brought into contact with the axis, and the elastic body portion of the second main body portion is extended to the side opposite the first main body portion in the axial direction and is expanded in diameter as it approaches the opposite side.

[0024] The electrical conduction method according to one aspect of the present invention is used in a differential device, the through hole being provided in a housing of the differential device, and the shaft being an output shaft of the differential device. [Effects of the Invention]

[0025] According to the conductive structure and conductive method of the present invention, it is possible to suppress a decrease in conductivity even when exposed to foreign matter. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0026] [Figure 1] 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a schematic configuration of a conductive structure according to an embodiment of the present invention, taken along a plane including an axis. [Figure 2] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of an example of a modified conductive structure. [Figure 3] 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a conductive structure in use attached to an application object of the conductive structure; DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0027] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that in the drawings, not all of the components are labeled with reference numerals, and some of the components may be omitted.

[0028] The conductive structure and conductive method according to the present invention form a conductive path in an annular gap. The conductive structure and conductive method according to the present invention form a conductive path, for example, in an annular gap between a shaft and a hole through which the shaft is inserted. The conductive structure and conductive method according to the present invention are used, for example, in a differential device equipped with a differential mechanism for absorbing the difference in rotational speed between the left and right drive wheels during cornering in electric vehicles (EVs) such as battery electric vehicles (BEVs) and hybrid vehicles. The differential device may, for example, be a transaxle differential gear in an eAxle, which is an electric drive unit of an electric vehicle (EV). The through-hole is provided in a housing of the differential device, and the shaft is an output shaft of the differential device rotatably inserted through the through-hole. However, the application of the conductive structure and conductive method according to the present invention is not limited to this.

[0029] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a schematic configuration of a conductive structure 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention, taken along a plane including an axis x. FIG. 1 illustrates one side of the cross section of the conductive structure 1 relative to the axis x. The conductive structure 1 is a conductive structure that forms a conductive path in an annular gap, and is used, for example, in a transaxle differential gear in an eAxle, an electric drive unit. The conductive structure 1 forms a conductive path in the annular gap between an output shaft and a shaft hole, which is a through-hole provided in a housing of the differential gear. As shown in FIG. 1, the conductive structure 1 includes an annular closing member 2 around the axis x that closes the gap, and an annular conductive path member 3 around the axis x that forms a conductive path 4. The conductive path member 3 radially penetrates the closing member 2. The configuration of the conductive structure 1 will be described in detail below.

[0030] The radial direction is a direction perpendicular to the axis x. In the radial direction, the side approaching the axis x (see arrow c in FIG. 1) is the inner circumferential side, and the side moving away from the axis x (see arrow d in FIG. 1) is the outer circumferential side. In addition, the side facing the direction of arrow a (see FIG. 1) in the direction of the axis x is the outer circumferential side, and the side facing the direction of arrow b (see FIG. 1) in the direction of the axis x is the inner circumferential side. The outer circumferential side is the side facing the outside of the object to which the term is applied, and the inner circumferential side is the side facing the inside of the object to which the term is applied. More specifically, the outer circumferential side is the side facing the outside of the housing in the case of a differential gear, which is the atmospheric side, and the inner circumferential side is the side facing the inside of the housing in the case of a differential gear.

[0031] As shown in FIG. 1 , the closing member 2 and the conductive path member 3 are integrated. Specifically, for example, the closing member 2 has a first body portion 5 that is an annular portion about the axis x and a second body portion 6 that is an annular portion about the axis x. The first body portion 5 and the second body portion 6 can be attached to each other in the direction of the axis x with the conductive path member 3 sandwiched therebetween. In other words, the closing member 2 and the conductive path member 3 are integrated by the first body portion 5 and the second body portion 6 being attached to each other with the conductive path member 3 sandwiched therebetween. The closing member 2 forms, for example, a sealing structure configured to seal a gap. When the conductive structure 1 is in use, which will be described later, the conductive path member 3 is located within a space surrounded by the closing member 2, and is designed to protect this space from foreign matter such as muddy water, rainwater, and dust, as well as lubricating oil, which is a sealed object.

[0032] 1, the first main body portion 5 of the closing member 2 has a configuration similar to that of a known sealing device, and includes a reinforcing ring 10 which is an annular member about the axis x, and an elastic body portion 20 which is an annular member formed from an elastic material about the axis x and attached to the reinforcing ring 10. The elastic body portion 20 also has an annular seal lip 21 which comes into contact with the output shaft of the differential gear.

[0033] As shown in FIG. 1 , the reinforcing ring 10 includes, for example, a cylindrical tubular portion 11 and a lip support portion 12 that bends inward from the outer end of the tubular portion 11 and extends toward the inner periphery. The tubular portion 11 includes, for example, a fitting portion 11a, which is an inner portion, and a support portion 11b, which is an outer portion. The fitting portion 11a and the support portion 11b are, for example, cylindrical or approximately cylindrical portions with the axis x as their central axis or approximately central axis. The support portion 11b is located more inward than the fitting portion 11a, and a stepped portion 11c that forms a radial step is formed between the fitting portion 11a and the support portion 11b. The fitting portion 11a is a portion for fixing the conductive structure 1 to an axial hole of a housing of a differential gear to which the conductive structure 1 is applied, and the support portion 11b is a portion for integrally attaching the first main body portion 5 and the second main body portion 6.

[0034] The lip support portion 12 is shaped, for example, so that the seal lip 21 is disposed at a desired position in the electrically conductive structure 1. As shown in FIG. 1 , for example, the lip support portion 12 is an annular plate-like portion extending radially from the outer end of the tubular portion 11 toward the inner periphery. The reinforcing ring 10 is formed as an integral member, for example, by pressing or forging a metal plate, and the tubular portion 11 and the lip support portion 12 are portions of the reinforcing ring 10 formed integrally from the same material and are continuous as a single unit. Examples of metal materials for the reinforcing ring 10 include stainless steel and SPCC (cold-rolled steel).

[0035] As described above, the elastic body portion 20 is attached to the reinforcing ring 10 and is integral with the reinforcing ring 10 so as to cover the reinforcing ring 10 from the inside, as shown in FIG. 1 for example. The seal lip 21 is adapted to contact the output shaft of the differential gear from the outer periphery. In addition to the seal lip 21, the elastic body portion 20 has, for example, a base portion 22, a gasket portion 23, and a support portion 24. The base portion 22 is a portion of the elastic body portion 20 that extends mainly over the inner surface of the reinforcing ring 10, spanning the tubular portion 11 and the lip support portion 12 of the reinforcing ring 10. The seal lip 21 extends inward from the base portion 22. The gasket portion 23 is a portion that covers the fitting portion 11a of the reinforcing ring 10 from the outer periphery and is press-fitted into the axial hole of the housing of the differential gear. The outer peripheral surface 23a of the gasket portion 23 has a diameter that is compressed between the through hole of the differential gear housing and the fitting portion 11a of the tubular portion 11 of the reinforcing ring 10, and is pressed against the through hole of the differential gear housing.

[0036] The support portion 24 is a portion that covers the support portion 11b of the reinforcing ring 10 from the outer periphery and is a portion for supporting the second body portion 6. As described above, the second body portion 6 is configured to be attached to the first body portion 5. Specifically, for example, the support portion 24 of the elastic body portion 20 of the first body portion 5 is configured to be able to fit into the second body portion 6. This allows the second body portion 6 to be supported by the support portion 24 of the elastic body portion 20 of the first body portion 5, and the second body portion 6 to be fixed to the first body portion 5. For example, the outer circumferential surface 24a of the support portion 24 has a diameter such that it is compressed between the fitted portion of the second body portion 6 and the support portion 11b of the tubular portion 11 of the reinforcing ring 10, and is pressed against the fitted portion of the second body portion 6.

[0037] As described above, the elastic body portion 20 is formed from an elastic material. Examples of the elastic material for the elastic body portion 20 include various rubber materials. Examples of the various rubber materials include synthetic rubbers such as nitrile rubber (NBR), hydrogenated nitrile rubber (H-NBR), acrylic rubber (ACM), and fluororubber (FKM). The elastic body portion 20 is molded, for example, by crosslinking (vulcanization) molding using a molding die. During this crosslinking molding, the reinforcing ring 10 is placed in the molding die, and the elastic body portion 20 is bonded to the reinforcing ring 10 by crosslinking adhesion, so that the elastic body portion 20 and the reinforcing ring 10 are molded integrally. In the illustrated example, the elastic body portion 20 does not cover the outer surface of the lip support portion 12 of the reinforcing ring 10; however, the elastic body portion 20 may partially or entirely cover the outer surface of the lip support portion 12 of the reinforcing ring 10.

[0038] As shown in Fig. 1, the second main body portion 6 of the closure member 2 has a support ring 30, which is an annular member about the axis x, and an elastic body portion 40, which is an annular member made of an elastic material about the axis x and attached to the support ring 30. The elastic body portion 40 also has an annular side lip 41 that extends outward in the direction of the axis x, on the side opposite the first main body portion 5. The side lip 41 has a diameter that increases as it extends outward in the direction of the axis x. Specifically, the side lip 41 is configured to come into contact with the output shaft of the differential gear or a deflector provided on the output shaft from the inside.

[0039] As shown in FIG. 1 , the support ring 30 includes, for example, a cylindrical tubular portion 31, a support portion 32 that bends inward from the outer end of the tubular portion 31 and extends radially inward, and a side lip support portion 33 that extends radially inward from the inner end of the support portion 32. The tubular portion 31 is a portion that is fitted to the first main body portion 5 described above. The tubular portion 31 is, for example, a cylindrical or approximately cylindrical portion with the axis x as its central axis or approximately central axis. An inner peripheral surface 31a that faces the inner peripheral side of the tubular portion 31 is configured so that the support portion 24 of the elastic body portion 20 of the first main body portion 5 is press-fitted into the inner peripheral side of the tubular portion 31 via the conductive path member 3. Specifically, the diameter of the inner peripheral surface 31a of the tubular portion 31 is set to a value that allows the support portion 24 of the elastic body portion 20 of the first main body portion 5 to be press-fitted into the inner peripheral side of the tubular portion 31 via the conductive path member 3. In other words, the diameter of the inner peripheral surface 31a of the tubular portion 31 is set to a value that allows the conductive path member 3 to be press-fitted into the inner peripheral side of the tubular portion 31.

[0040] The tubular portion 31 is also configured to be press-fitted into the shaft hole of the differential gear. Specifically, the diameter of the outer peripheral surface 31b of the tubular portion 31 is set to a value that allows the tubular portion 31 to be press-fitted into the shaft hole of the differential gear. In other words, the diameter of the outer peripheral surface 31b of the tubular portion 31 is set to a value larger than the diameter of the shaft hole of the differential gear. Note that the tubular portion 31 may not be press-fitted into the shaft hole of the differential gear. In this case, the diameter of the outer peripheral surface 31b of the tubular portion 31 is set to a value that is the same as or smaller than the diameter of the shaft hole of the differential gear.

[0041] 1, the end 31c, which is the inner end of the tubular portion 31 of the support ring 30, forms a space between itself and the first body portion 5 in the direction of the axis x in an assembled state of the conductive structure 1 in which the second body portion 6 is integrally attached to the first body portion 5 via the conductive path member 3. Specifically, in the assembled conductive structure 1, the end 31c of the tubular portion 31 of the support ring 30 faces the gasket portion 23 of the elastic body portion 20 of the first body portion 5 with an annular gap in the direction of the axis x.

[0042] The support portion 32 is a portion that sandwiches the conductive path member 3 between itself and the first main body portion 5 in the direction of the axis x. As shown in FIG. 1 , the support portion 32 is, for example, an annular plate-shaped portion that extends radially from the outer end of the tubular portion 31 toward the inner periphery. The support portion 32 extends, for example, in an annular shape along a plane perpendicular to the axis x. The support portion 32 extends toward the inner periphery so as to have a portion that faces the lip support portion 12 of the reinforcing ring 10 of the first main body portion 5 in the direction of the axis x when the second main body portion 6 is attached to the first main body portion 5.

[0043] The side lip support portion 33 is a portion that supports the side lip 41, and enables the side lip 41 to be formed. As shown in Fig. 1, for example, the side lip support portion 33 extends from the inner peripheral end of the support portion 32, sloping outward toward the inner peripheral side. This prevents the elastic body portion 40 from interfering with other portions when the first main body portion 5 and the second main body portion 6 are assembled together, preventing the first main body portion 5 and the second main body portion 6 from being assembled in the intended state.

[0044] The support ring 30 is formed as an integral member by, for example, pressing or forging a metal plate, and the cylindrical portion 31, the support portion 32, and the side lip support portion 33 are each parts of the support ring 30 formed integrally from the same material and are continuous as one unit. Examples of metal materials for the support ring 30 include stainless steel and SPCC (cold-rolled steel).

[0045] As shown in FIG. 1 , the support ring 30 is exposed on the surface of the conductive structure 1, and when attached to the differential gear in use, it is exposed outside the housing of the differential gear. Therefore, the support ring 30 is easily exposed to foreign matter such as muddy water, rainwater, and dust when in use. To prevent corrosion such as rust from occurring on the support ring 30 due to exposure to foreign matter, for example, the surface of the support ring 30 is subjected to an anti-rust treatment. However, the surface of the support ring 30 does not have to be subjected to an anti-rust treatment. In particular, when the support ring 30 is covered by the base 42, the surface of the support ring 30 does not have to be subjected to an anti-rust treatment.

[0046] The side lip 41 has a similar configuration to that of a known sealing device, such as a known differential side seal used in a differential device. For example, as shown in FIG. 1 , the side lip 41 extends from a base 42, which is a portion of the elastic body 40 attached to the tip of the side lip support portion 33 of the support ring 30. The base 42 may extend from the tip of the side lip support portion 33 to other portions of the side lip support portion 33 and cover these other portions, or may extend to the support portion 32 and cover this portion as well, or may extend to the tubular portion 31 and cover both the support portion 32 and this tubular portion 31. The entire support ring 30 may also be covered by the base 42.

[0047] As described above, the side lip 41 has a diameter that increases outward in the direction of the axis x, and has, for example, a conical or substantially conical cylindrical shape extending along the axis x. Furthermore, an inner peripheral surface 41a of the side lip 41 facing the inner peripheral side is provided with a plurality of annular grooves 43 around the axis x. The grooves 43 are provided, for example, on the side of the tip portion 41b of the side lip 41. The grooves 43 are grooves for retaining grease to be applied to the side lip 41. The tip portion 41b of the side lip 41 is the tip side of the side lip 41, i.e., the outer end and the portion nearby.

[0048] When the conductive structure 1 is in use, the side lip 41 is configured so that the inner surface 41a of the tip portion 41b contacts a deflector attached to the output shaft of the differential gear or a deflector formed integrally with the output shaft of the differential gear from the inside in the direction of the axis x.

[0049] As described above, the elastic body portion 40 is formed from an elastic material. Examples of the elastic body of the elastic body portion 40 include various rubber materials. Examples of the various rubber materials include synthetic rubbers such as nitrile rubber (NBR), hydrogenated nitrile rubber (H-NBR), acrylic rubber (ACM), and fluororubber (FKM). The elastic body portion 40 is molded by cross-linking (vulcanization) molding using a molding die. During this cross-linking molding, the support ring 30 is placed in the molding die, and the elastic body portion 40 is bonded to the support ring 30 by cross-linking adhesion, so that the elastic body portion 40 and the support ring 30 are molded integrally.

[0050] 1, the conductive path member 3 has, for example, a conductive member 50 which is a conductive member having an annular shape around the axis x. The conductive path member 3 also has a metal ring 60 which is a metal member formed from a metal material and which is a ring-shaped member around the axis x. The conductive member 50 and the metal ring 60 overlap in the direction of the axis x, and the metal ring 60 is exposed on the outer periphery.

[0051] The conductive member 50 is a member for forming the conductive path 4 between the housing and the output shaft in the differential gear. The conductive member 50 has an inner peripheral end portion 53 which is an end portion on the inner peripheral side of the annular shape around the axis x, and the inner peripheral end portion 53 is configured to come into contact with the output shaft of the differential gear when the conductive structure 1 is in use.

[0052] As shown in FIG. 1, the conductive member 50 is a plate-like member annular about the axis x, and has a pair of annular surfaces, a contact side surface 51 and a back surface 52, facing back to back in the direction of the axis x. As shown in FIG. 1, the contact side surface 51 faces outward in the direction of the axis x, and the back surface 52 faces inward in the direction of the axis x. The conductive member 50 has an annular inner peripheral end 50a at its inner end and an annular outer peripheral end 50b at its outer end. The inner peripheral end 50a defines a space (through hole) penetrating the conductive member 50 in the direction of the axis x on the inner circumferential side. The inner peripheral end 50a extends, for example, along a circle centered on the axis x. The outer peripheral end 50b also extends, for example, along a circle centered on the axis x.

[0053] As shown in FIG. 1 , the inner peripheral end 53 of the conductive member 50 protrudes inward from the inner peripheral end 22a, which is the inner peripheral end of the base 22 of the elastic body 20 of the first main body 5. As described above, the inner peripheral end 53 of the conductive member 50 contacts the output shaft of the differential gear when the conductive structure 1 is in use. Therefore, the diameter of the inner peripheral end 50a of the conductive member 50 is smaller than the diameter of the output shaft of the differential gear. The inner peripheral end 53 of the conductive member 50 may have one or more notches (not shown) extending radially from the inner peripheral end 50a around the axis x. When the conductive member 50 has multiple notches, these notches are, for example, arranged at equal or approximately equal angular intervals around the axis x. The notches can reduce the resistance of the conductive member 50 to the output shaft.

[0054] Furthermore, the conductive member 50 is supported by being sandwiched between the lip support portion 12 of the reinforcing ring 10 of the first body portion 5 and the support portion 32 of the support ring 30 of the second body portion 6. Therefore, the outer peripheral end 50b of the conductive member 50 is located in a radial range where the lip support portion 12 and the support portion 32 face each other in the direction of the axis x, or is located on the outer peripheral side of the radial range where the lip support portion 12 and the support portion 32 face each other in the direction of the axis x, so that the conductive member 50 has a portion sandwiched between the lip support portion 12 of the reinforcing ring 10 of the first body portion 5 and the support portion 32 of the support ring 30 of the second body portion 6. In the illustrated example, the outer peripheral end 50b of the conductive member 50 is located on the outer peripheral side of the radial range where the lip support portion 12 and the support portion 32 face each other in the direction of the axis x.

[0055] As shown in FIG. 1 , the conductive member 50 extends along a plane perpendicular to the axis x and has a hollow disk-like or approximately disk-like shape. The inner peripheral end 53 or the inner peripheral end 53 and its vicinity of the conductive member 50 do not have to extend along a plane perpendicular to the axis x. For example, the inner peripheral end 53 or the inner peripheral end 53 and its vicinity of the conductive member 50 may be curved so that the back surface 52 is concave and the diameter decreases as it extends inward in the direction of the axis x. The inner peripheral end 53 or the inner peripheral end 53 and its vicinity of the conductive member 50 may extend along a surface that combines flat and curved surfaces. The inner peripheral end 53 or the inner peripheral end 53 and its vicinity of the conductive member 50 are located on the inner circumferential side of the portion sandwiched between the lip support portion 12 of the reinforcing ring 10 of the first main body portion 5 and the support portion 32 of the support ring 30 of the second main body portion 6.

[0056] As described above, the conductive member 50 is made of a conductive material. The material of the conductive member 50 is, for example, conductive PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene). The material of the conductive member 50 is not limited to conductive PTFE, and may be, for example, another conductive resin, conductive rubber, or a conductive fiber such as a nonwoven fabric.

[0057] The conductive path member 3 also includes, for example, a support member 70 that supports the conductive member 50. The support member 70 overlaps the back surface 52 of the conductive member 60 and can press the inner peripheral end 53 of the conductive member 50 inward. As shown in FIG. 1, for example, the support member 70 is a plate-shaped member that is annular about the axis x and has a pair of annular surfaces, a pressing side surface 71 and a back surface 72, that face back to back in the direction of the axis x. As shown in FIG. 1, the pressing side surface 71 faces outward, and the back surface 72 faces inward. The support member 70 has an annular inner peripheral end 70a at its end on the inner peripheral side and an annular outer peripheral end 70b at its end on the outer peripheral side. The inner peripheral end 70a defines a space (through hole) that penetrates the support member 70 in the direction of the axis x on the inner peripheral side. The inner peripheral end 70a extends, for example, along a circle centered on the axis x. Similarly, the outer peripheral edge 70b extends, for example, along a circle centered on the axis x.

[0058] The support member 70 overlaps the conductive member 50 in the direction of the axis x. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 1, the pressing side surface 71 of the support member 70 faces and contacts the back surface 52 of the conductive member 50. As shown in FIG. 1, the conductive member 50 and the support member 70 are shaped to overlap and coincide with each other when viewed in the direction of the axis x. That is, the back surface 52 of the conductive member 50 and the pressing side surface 71 of the support member 70 have the same or approximately the same shape and size, and the inner circumferential end 50a and the outer circumferential end 50b of the conductive member 50 and the inner circumferential end 70a and the outer circumferential end 70b of the support member 70 coincide with or approximately coincide with each other, so that the conductive member 50 and the support member 70 overlap. Note that the inner circumferential end 50a and the outer circumferential end 50b of the conductive member 50 and the inner circumferential end 70a and the outer circumferential end 70b of the support member 70 do not have to coincide with each other. In this case, for example, the inner peripheral end 70a of the support member 70 is located on the outer peripheral side of the inner peripheral end 50a of the conductive member 50.

[0059] 1 and 2 , similar to the conductive member 50, the support member 70 extends along a plane perpendicular to the axis x and has a hollow disk-like or approximately disk-like shape. Note that, similar to the conductive member 50, the inner peripheral end 73 of the support member 70 or the inner peripheral end 73 and its vicinity do not have to extend along a plane perpendicular to the axis x. For example, similar to the conductive member 50, the inner peripheral end 73 of the support member 70 or the inner peripheral end 73 and its vicinity may be curved so that the back surface 72 is concave and the diameter decreases as it extends inward in the direction of the axis x. Similarly to the conductive member 50, the inner peripheral end 73 of the support member 70 or the inner peripheral end 73 and its vicinity may extend along a surface that is a combination of flat and curved surfaces. Furthermore, the inner peripheral end portion 73 of the support member 70 or the inner peripheral end portion 73 and its vicinity is located more inward than the portion sandwiched between the lip support portion 12 of the reinforcing ring 10 of the first main body portion 5 and the support portion 32 of the support ring 30 of the second main body portion 6.

[0060] The support member 70 is an elastic member, such as a leaf spring. The support member 70 is made of an elastic material, and various elastic materials can be used as the elastic material of the support member 70. The support member 70 may or may not be conductive.

[0061] The metal ring 60, together with the conductive member 50, is a member for forming the conductive path 4 between the housing and the output shaft in the differential gear. As described above, the metal ring 60 is exposed on the outer periphery, and this exposed portion comes into contact with the housing of the differential gear when the conductive structure 1 is in use.

[0062] As shown in FIG. 1 , the metal ring 60 has, for example, a cylindrical tubular portion 61 and a contact portion 62 that bends inward from the outer end of the tubular portion 61 and extends toward the inner periphery. The tubular portion 61 has, for example, a fitting portion 63, which is an outer portion, and a contact end portion 64, which is an inner portion. The fitting portion 63 is a portion that is fitted between the first main body portion 5 and the second main body portion 6. Specifically, the fitting portion 63 is configured so that the support portion 24 of the elastic body portion 20 of the first main body portion 5 is press-fitted into the inner periphery, and is also press-fitted into the inner periphery of the tubular portion 31 of the support ring 30 of the second main body portion 6. The fitting portion 63 has, for example, a cylindrical or approximately cylindrical shape with the axis x as its central axis or approximately its central axis. Specifically, for example, the diameter of the inner peripheral surface 63a of the fitting portion 63 is smaller than the diameter of the outer peripheral surface 24a of the support portion 24 of the elastic body portion 20 of the first main body portion 5, and the diameter of the outer peripheral surface 63b of the fitting portion 63 is larger than the diameter of the inner peripheral surface 31a of the tubular portion 31 of the support ring 30 of the second main body portion 6. The inner peripheral surface 61a is the surface facing the inner peripheral side of the fitting portion 61, and the outer peripheral surface 61b is the surface facing the outer peripheral side of the fitting portion 61. The shape and size of the fitting portion 63 are not limited to the above-mentioned form, and may be any form that is sandwiched between the support portion 24 of the elastic body portion 20 of the first main body portion 5 and the tubular portion 31 of the support ring 30 of the second main body portion 6, and fixes the first main body portion 5 and the second main body portion 6 to each other between the support portion 24 of the elastic body portion 20 and the tubular portion 31 of the support ring 30. In this case, for example, the fitting portion 63 may have a cross section with a wave-like shape that protrudes alternately toward the outer circumferential side and the inner circumferential side and extends in the circumferential direction about the axis x. Furthermore, the fitting portion 63 may have gaps formed at intervals in the circumferential direction and have a shape that extends intermittently in the circumferential direction.

[0063] As shown in FIG. 1 , the contact end 64 is located radially outward of the fitting portion 63 and is configured to contact the inner circumferential surface of the axial hole of the differential gear housing when the conductive structure 1 is in use. The contact end 64 has, for example, a cylindrical or substantially cylindrical shape with the axis x as its central axis or approximately its central axis. Specifically, for example, the diameter of the outer circumferential surface 64a of the contact end 64 is the same as or larger than the diameter of the inner circumferential surface of the axial hole of the differential gear housing. The outer circumferential surface 64a is the surface of the contact end 64 facing the outer circumferential side. The shape and size of the contact end 64 are not limited to the above-described form, and it is sufficient that the contact end 64 contacts the inner circumferential surface of the axial hole of the differential gear housing when the conductive structure 1 is in use. In this case, for example, the contact end 64 may have a corrugated cross section that alternately protrudes radially outward and radially inward and extends circumferentially around the axis x. Furthermore, the contact end portion 64 may have a shape in which gaps are formed at intervals in the circumferential direction and extend intermittently in the circumferential direction.

[0064] As shown in FIG. 1 , the fitting portion 63 and the contact end portion 64 are connected to each other via a stepped portion 65. The stepped portion 65 is a portion that forms a step in the radial direction. As described above, the size of the radial step of the stepped portion 65 is set to allow the contact end portion 64 to contact the inner circumferential surface of the axial hole of the housing of the differential gear. The fitting portion 63 is configured so that the stepped portion 65 and the contact end portion 64 are positioned in the gap in the axial x direction between the gasket portion 23 of the elastic body portion 20 of the first main body portion 5 and the tubular portion 31 of the support ring 30 of the second main body portion 6. Specifically, for example, the length of the fitting portion 63 in the axial x direction is adjusted so that the stepped portion 65 and the contact end portion 64 are positioned in the gap in the axial x direction between the gasket portion 23 of the elastic body portion 20 of the first main body portion 5 and the tubular portion 31 of the support ring 30 of the second main body portion 6. For example, as shown in FIG. 1, the length of the fitting portion 63 in the axial x direction is such that the position of the inner end (end 63c) of the fitting portion 63 in the axial x direction is the same as or approximately the same as the position of the inner end 31c of the tubular portion 31 of the support ring 30 of the second main body portion 6 in the axial x direction.

[0065] As shown in FIG. 1, for example, the contact portion 62 is a plate-like member annular about the axis x, and has a pair of annular surfaces, side surfaces 62a and 62b, facing back to back in the direction of the axis x. As shown in FIG. 1, the side surface 62a faces inward, and the side surface 62b faces outward. The connection portion 62 has an annular inner peripheral end 62c at its inner circumferential end. The inner peripheral end 62c defines a space (through hole) that penetrates the connection portion 62 in the direction of the axis x on the inner circumferential side. The inner peripheral end 62c extends, for example, along a circle centered on the axis x. The radial position of the inner peripheral end 62c is such that it does not hinder the insertion of the output shaft and deformation of the conductive member 50 when the conductive structure 1 is in use. 1, for example, the radial position of the inner peripheral end 62c is located on the outer side of the inner peripheral end (end 22a) of the base 22 of the elastic body portion 20 of the first main body portion 5. However, the radial position of the inner peripheral end 62c is not limited to this position.

[0066] The metal ring 60 is made of a metal material having electrical conductivity. The metal ring 60 is formed as an integrated member, for example, by pressing or forging a metal plate, and the cylindrical portion 61 and the contact portion 62 are parts of the metal ring 60 formed integrally from the same material and are continuous as one unit. The metal material of the reinforcing ring 10 is, for example, a metal material having high electrical conductivity. Note that the material of the metal ring 60 is not limited to metal, and may be other electrically conductive materials.

[0067] In the conductive path member 3, for example, the support member 70 is located inside the conductive member 50, and the contact portion 62 of the metal ring 60 is located outside the conductive member 50. Specifically, the pressing side surface 71 of the support member 70 contacts the back surface 52 of the conductive member 50. Furthermore, the inner side surface 62a of the contact portion 62 of the metal ring 60 contacts the contact side surface 51 of the conductive member 50, spaced from the inner peripheral end 50a of the conductive member 50 toward the outer periphery as described above. The support member 70 may be fixed to the conductive member 50 by adhesive or the like, and in the assembled conductive structure 1 as described below, the conductive member 50 and the support member 70 may be sandwiched between the lip support portion 12 of the reinforcing ring 10 of the first main body portion 5 and the support portion 32 of the support ring 30 of the second main body portion 6, and may be in contact with the conductive member 50 so as to be immovable relative to each other. Similarly, the conductive member 50 may be fixed to the metal ring 60 by adhesive or the like, and in the conductive structure 1 assembled as described below, the conductive member 50 and the metal ring 60 may be sandwiched between the lip support portion 12 of the reinforcing ring 10 of the first main body portion 5 and the support portion 32 of the support ring 30 of the second main body portion 6, and may be in contact with each other so as to be unable to move relative to each other.

[0068] The conductive structure 1 has the above-described configuration and is produced by assembling the first body portion 5 and the second body portion 6 together via the conductive path member 3. Specifically, the support portion 24 of the elastic body portion 20 of the first body portion 5 is press-fitted into the fitting portion 63 of the tubular portion 61 of the metal ring 60 of the conductive path member 3, which are stacked as described above. Then, the fitting portion 63 of the tubular portion 61 of the metal ring 60 of the conductive path member 3, into which the support portion 24 of the elastic body portion 20 of the first body portion 5 is press-fitted, is press-fitted into the tubular portion 31 of the support ring 30 of the second body portion 6. The conductive path member 3 is sandwiched between the lip support portion 12 of the reinforcing ring 10 of the first body portion 5 and the support portion 32 of the support ring 30 of the second body portion 6, and the conductive structure 1 is assembled. However, the assembly order is not limited to this. In other words, after the fitting portion 63 of the tubular portion 61 of the metal ring 60 of the conductive path member 3 is pressed into the tubular portion 31 of the support ring 30 of the second main body portion 6, the support portion 24 of the elastic body portion 20 of the first main body portion 5 may be pressed into the fitting portion 63 of the tubular portion 61 of the metal ring 60 of the conductive path member 3.

[0069] Alternatively, the first body portion 5 and the second body portion 6 may be pressed toward each other in the direction of the axis x, and the conductive structure 3 may be sandwiched between the first body portion 5 and the second body portion 6 as described above. Alternatively, the conductive structure 3 may be brought into contact with the lip support portion 12 of the reinforcing ring 10 of the first body portion 5, and then the conductive structure 3 may be brought into contact with the support portion 32 of the support ring 30 of the second body portion 6. Alternatively, the conductive structure 3 may be brought into contact with the support portion 32 of the support ring 30 of the second body portion 6, and then the conductive structure 3 may be brought into contact with the lip support portion 12 of the reinforcing ring 10 of the first body portion 5.

[0070] 1 , in the assembled conductive structure 1, the conductive path member 3 is sandwiched between the lip support portion 12 of the reinforcing ring 10 of the first body portion 5 and the support portion 32 of the support ring 30 of the second body portion 6. Specifically, the support member 70 of the conductive path member 3 contacts the lip support portion 12 of the reinforcing ring 10 of the first body portion 5, and the contact portion 62 of the metal ring 60 of the conductive path member 3 contacts the support portion 32 of the support ring 30 of the second body portion 6. Furthermore, in the conductive path member 3 sandwiched between the first body portion 5 and the second body portion 6, the conductive member 50 contacts the metal ring 60. Both the conductive member 50 and the metal ring 60 are conductive, and the conductive path 4 is formed by the conductive member 50 and the metal ring 60.

[0071] Furthermore, the conductive member 50 protrudes into the inner circumferential space defined by the first body portion 5 and the second body portion 6, and the inner circumferential end 50a of the conductive member 50 is located in the inner circumferential space defined by the first body portion 5 and the second body portion 6. Furthermore, the contact end portion 64 of the metal ring 60 is exposed from the outer circumferential surfaces of the first body portion 5 and the second body portion 6. As a result, the conductive path 4 formed by the conductive member 50 and the metal ring 60 extends into the inner circumferential space defined by the first body portion 5 and the second body portion 6 and the outer circumferential space defined by the first body portion 5 and the second body portion 6. In this way, the conductive path 4 formed by the conductive member 50 and the metal ring 60 extends radially through the closing member 2.

[0072] Next, an example of a modified conductive structure 1 will be described. Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view of an example of a modified conductive structure 1. As shown in Fig. 2, in the conductive path member 3, the support member 70 may be overlapped so as to contact the conductive member 50 from the outside. In this case, the contact side surface 51 of the conductive member 50 faces inward, and the back surface 52 faces outward. Also, the pressing side surface 71 of the support member 70 faces inward, and the back surface 72 faces outward.

[0073] Next, the operation of the conductive structure 1 having the above-described configuration will be described. Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing the conductive structure 1 in use, attached to an application target of the conductive structure 1. As described above, an example of an application target of the conductive structure 1 is a differential gear 100. Furthermore, an example of the differential gear 100 is a transaxle differential gear of an eAxle, which is an electric drive unit of an electric vehicle (EV) such as a battery electric vehicle (BEV) or a hybrid vehicle.

[0074] As shown in FIG. 3 , the differential gear 100 includes a housing 101 that encloses the internal mechanisms of the differential gear 100 and an output shaft 110 that outputs power. The housing 101 and the main power shaft 110 of the differential gear 100 are made of metal. The housing 101 is formed with a shaft hole 102, which is a through-hole that allows the output shaft 110 to protrude to the outside. The output shaft 110 extends through the shaft hole 102 of the housing 101 to the outside. A deflector 111 is provided on the portion of the output shaft 110 that protrudes from the housing 101. The deflector 111 forms a surface 112 extending from the outer peripheral surface 110a of the output shaft 110 along a plane perpendicular to the axis of the main power shaft 110. The deflector 111 may be a separate member from the output shaft 110 that is fitted onto the outer peripheral surface 110a of the output shaft 110, or may be formed integrally with the output shaft 110. An annular gap 120 is formed between the output shaft 110 and the shaft hole 102 of the housing 101, and the conductive structure 1 forms a conductive path in this gap 120. The conductive structure 1 also functions as a differential side seal.

[0075] As shown in Fig. 3, the conductive structure 1 is attached to a gap 120 between the housing 101 and the output shaft 110 of the differential gear 100 and is in a usable state. Specifically, as shown in Fig. 3, the conductive structure 1 is inserted into the axial hole 102 of the housing 101 so that the outer circumferential side of the conductive structure 1 faces the inner circumferential surface 102a of the axial hole 102, the output shaft 110 is inserted into the space surrounded by the inner circumferential side of the conductive structure 1, and the side lip 41 of the second main body portion 6 comes into contact with the deflector 111, and the conductive structure 1 is in a usable state.

[0076] Specifically, in use, the gasket portion 23 of the elastic body portion 20 of the first main body portion 5 is press-fitted into the axial hole 102 of the housing 101, and the gasket portion 23 is compressed radially between the inner circumferential surface 102a of the axial hole 102 and the fitting portion 11a of the reinforcing ring 10 of the first main body portion 5. This seals the axial hole 102 of the housing 101 on the outer circumferential side of the conductive structure 1. Furthermore, the tubular portion 31 of the support ring 30 of the second main body portion 6 is press-fitted into the axial hole 102, and the tubular portion 31 is fixed to the axial hole 102. This fixes the side lip 41 to the housing 101. Note that when the tubular portion 31 does not come into contact with the inner circumferential surface 102a of the axial hole 102, the tubular portion 31 is not press-fitted into the axial hole 102.

[0077] 3, in use, the seal lip 21 contacts the outer peripheral surface 110a of the output shaft 110, thereby sealing the axial hole 102 of the housing 101 on the inner peripheral side of the conductive structure 1. Also, as shown in Fig. 3, in use, the tip 41b of the side lip 41 contacts the surface 112 of the deflector 111 from the inside. This prevents foreign matter from entering and prevents or suppresses foreign matter from approaching the seal lip 21 from outside the differential gear 100.

[0078] As described above, in use, the first body portion 5 and the second body portion 6, which are the closing member 2, close the gap 120 between the housing 101 of the differential gear 100 and the output shaft 110, thereby sealing the lubricating oil, which is the object to be sealed, inside the housing 101. In addition, the first body portion 5 and the second body portion 6, which are the closing member 2, prevent or suppress the intrusion of foreign matter into the housing 101, and also prevent or suppress the approach of foreign matter to the seal lip 21.

[0079] 3, in the operating state, the contact side surface 51 of the inner circumferential end portion 53 of the conductive member 50 of the conductive path member 3 contacts the outer circumferential surface 110a of the output shaft 110, and the inner circumferential end portion 53 of the conductive member 50 is pressed outward by the output shaft 110 and deformed. As shown in FIG. 3, the inner circumferential end portion 53 of the conductive member 50 contacts the outer circumferential surface 110a of the output shaft 110 with a width in the direction of the axis x. Also, as shown in FIG. 3, in the operating state, the contact end portion 64 of the metal ring 60 of the conductive path member 3 contacts the inner circumferential surface 102a of the axial hole 102 of the housing 101, and the metal ring 60 contacts the conductive member 50 in the direction of the axis x. In this way, the conductive member 50 and the metal ring 60 form the conductive path 4 that conducts electricity between the output shaft 110 and the housing 101 in the operating state. Furthermore, the conductive member 50 and the metal ring 60 are sandwiched between the first body portion 5 and the second body portion 6 in the direction of the axis x, and penetrate radially through the closing member 2 and the conductive structure 1. In this way, the conductive path member 3 penetrates radially through the conductive structure 1, forming a conductive path 4 that penetrates radially through the conductive structure 1.

[0080] As described above, the conductive path member 3 radially penetrates the closing member 2, is located between the seal lip 21 and the side lip 41, and extends into the space enclosed by the closing member 2. Specifically, the conductive path member 3 is in contact with a space isolated from the outer space by the support ring 30 and the side lip 41 of the second main body portion 6, and is in contact with a space isolated from the inner space by the seal lip 21 and the gasket portion 23 of the first main body portion 5. Therefore, the conductive path member 3 is located in a space surrounded mainly by the seal lip 21 and the side lip 41 of the closing member 2, which form a sealed structure. This prevents or suppresses exposure of the conductive member 50 and the metal ring 60 of the conductive path member 3 to foreign matter, thereby preventing or suppressing corrosion of the conductive member 50 and the metal ring 60 due to foreign matter. Furthermore, the conductive member 50 and the metal ring 60 of the conductive path member 3 are prevented or suppressed from contacting the lubricating oil, which is the sealed object. This prevents or suppresses the deterioration of the conductive performance of the conductive member 50 and the metal ring 60.

[0081] 3 , the support member 70 overlaps the conductive member 50, and the pressing side surface 71 of the support member 70 contacts the back surface 52 of the conductive member 50. As described above, in use, the inner peripheral end 53 of the conductive member 50 is deformed by the reaction force from the output shaft 110 toward the outer periphery, and the inner peripheral end 73 of the support member 70 is also deformed by the reaction force from the shaft 110 toward the outer periphery via the inner peripheral end 53 of the conductive member 50. Because the inner peripheral end 73 of the support member 70 has elasticity as described above, the inner peripheral end 73 of the support member 70 is elastically deformed, and a reaction force is generated at the inner peripheral end 73 of the support member 70 in response to the force received from the output shaft 110. Due to the reaction force of this support member 70, the conductive member 50 is pressed against the outer peripheral surface 110a of the output shaft 110, and the contact side surface 51 of the conductive member 50 is pressed toward the output shaft 110 and comes into contact with the outer peripheral surface 110a of the output shaft 110.

[0082] In this way, in use, the conductive member 50 is pressed against the outer peripheral surface 110a of the output shaft 110 by the reaction force of the support member 70, thereby ensuring strong contact between the conductive member 50 and the output shaft 110. In addition, the ability of the inner peripheral end portion 53 of the conductive member 50 to follow the output shaft 110 is improved, which also ensures strong contact between the conductive member 50 and the output shaft 110. As a result, in the conductive structure 1, the contact between the conductive member 50 and the output shaft 110 is stable.

[0083] As described above, the conductive structure 1 is formed by assembling the first body 5, the second body 6, and the conductive path member 3 into a single unit. This eliminates the need to handle multiple components, as would be the case if the conductive path member were a separate unit, making handling easier during manufacturing and management.

[0084] As described above, the conductive structure 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention can suppress a decrease in conductivity even when exposed to foreign matter.

[0085] The conductive method according to the present invention is a conductive method for forming a conductive path in an annular gap, in which a conductive path member, which is a member forming a conductive path annularly around an axis, is radially inserted through a closing member, which is a member annularly around an axis that closes the gap. By carrying out the conductive method according to the present invention, the above-mentioned conductive structure according to the present invention is manufactured. Each step of the conductive method according to the present invention will be explained by the explanation of the above-mentioned conductive structure according to the present invention.

[0086] Although the present invention has been described above through the above embodiments, the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the scope described in the above embodiments. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and improvements can be made to the above embodiments. It is clear from the claims that such modifications and improvements can also be included within the technical scope of the present invention.

[0087] The above-described embodiments are intended to facilitate understanding of the present invention and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. Furthermore, the above-described embodiments do not limit the scope of the present invention, and the present invention may include any and all applications. The components of the above-described embodiments, as well as their arrangement, materials, conditions, shape, size, etc., are not limited to those illustrated and may be modified as appropriate. For example, the present invention includes differences that arise during implementation due to manufacturing tolerances, etc. Furthermore, components illustrated in different embodiments may be partially substituted or combined within the scope of technical inconsistency. Furthermore, the various configurations may be selectively combined as appropriate to achieve at least some of the above-described problems and effects.

[0088] For example, the application of the conductive structure according to the present invention is not limited to the transaxle of an eAxle, but can be provided in various differential mechanisms in which the formation of a conductive path for discharge or the like is effective. [Explanation of symbols]

[0089] 1 Conductive structure, 2 Closure member (sealing structure), 3 Conductive path member, 4 Conductive path, 5 First main body portion, 6 Second main body portion, 10 Reinforcing ring, 11 Cylindrical portion, 11a Fitting portion, 11b Support portion, 11c Step portion, 12 Lip support portion, 20 Elastic portion, 21 Seal lip, 22 Base portion, 22a Inner peripheral end, 23 Gasket portion, 23a Outer peripheral surface, 24 Support portion, 24a Outer peripheral surface, 30 Support ring, 31 Cylindrical portion, 31a Inner peripheral surface, 31b Outer peripheral surface, 31c End, 32 Support portion, 33 Side lip support portion, 40 Elastic portion, 41 Side lip, 41a Inner peripheral surface, 41b Tip portion, 42 Base portion, 43 Groove, 50 Conductive member, 50a Inner peripheral end, 50b Outer peripheral end, 51 Contact side surface, 52 back surface, 53 inner peripheral end, 60 metal ring (metal member), 61 cylindrical portion, 62 contact portion, 62a, 62b side surface, 62c inner peripheral end, 63 fitting portion, 63a inner peripheral surface, 63b outer peripheral surface, 63c end, 64 contact end, 64a outer peripheral surface, 65 stepped portion, 70 support member, 70a inner peripheral end, 70b outer peripheral end, 71 pressing side surface, 72 back surface, 73 inner peripheral end, 100 differential gear, 101 housing, 102 shaft hole, 102a inner peripheral surface, 110 output shaft, 110a outer peripheral surface, 111 deflector, 112 surface, 120 gap, x-axis

Claims

1. A conductive structure that forms a conductive path in a gap between a through hole and an axis passing through the through hole, a closing member that forms an annular sealing structure around an axis for sealing the gap; a conductive path member annular about the axis that forms the conductive path, the closure member has a seal lip formed of an annular elastic material around the axis, and a side lip formed of an annular elastic material around the axis, The sealing lip is adapted to contact the shaft to seal against an object to be sealed, the side lip extends toward the opposite side of the seal lip in the axial direction and is adapted to come into contact with the shaft to prevent foreign matter from entering from the opposite side, The conductive path member is located between the seal lip and the side lip. Conductive structure.

2. A conductive structure forming a conductive path in the annular gap, a closing member annular about an axis that closes the gap; a conductive path member annular about the axis that forms the conductive path, The conductive path member radially penetrates the closing member. Conductive structure.

3. The closing member and the conductive path member are integral with each other. The conductive structure of claim 2 .

4. the closure member has a first body portion that is an annular portion around the axis line and a second body portion that is an annular portion around the axis line, The first body portion and the second body portion are attachable to each other with the conductive path member sandwiched therebetween in the axial direction. The conductive structure of claim 2 .

5. The conductive path member has a conductive member that is an annular conductive member around the axis. the conductive member has an annular inner peripheral end portion around the axis, The inner peripheral end portion is configured to come into contact with an inner peripheral member that forms the annular gap. The conductive structure according to claim 2 or 3.

6. the conductive path member has a metal member that is a member formed from a metal material and an annular shape around the axis, the conductive member and the metal member overlap in the axial direction, The metal member is exposed on the outer periphery. The conductive structure of claim 5 .

7. The closing member is a sealing structure for sealing the gap. The conductive structure of claim 2 .

8. The gap is a gap between a through hole and an axis passing through the through hole. The conductive structure of claim 2 .

9. the gap is a gap between a through hole and a shaft passing through the through hole, The closing member is It is a sealing structure for sealing, the first main body portion has a reinforcing ring which is a member annular about the axis line, and an elastic body portion which is a member formed of an elastic material annular about the axis line and attached to the reinforcing ring, the second main body portion has a support ring which is an annular member around the axis, and an elastic body portion which is an annular member formed of an elastic material around the axis and attached to the support ring, the elastic body portion of the first main body portion has an annular seal lip that contacts the shaft, the elastic body portion of the second main body portion has an annular side lip extending toward a side opposite to the first main body portion in the axial direction, The side lip has a diameter that increases toward the opposite side in the axial direction. The conductive structure of claim 4 .

10. Used in differential devices, The through-hole is provided in a housing of the differential device, The shaft is an output shaft of the differential device. The conductive structure according to claim 8 or 9.

11. A conductive method for forming a conductive path in an annular gap, comprising: a conductive path member that forms the conductive path annularly around an axis and that radially penetrates a closing member that is an annular member annularly around the axis and closes the gap; Conductive method.

12. The closing member and the conductive path member are integrated together. The conductive method of claim 11.

13. The closure member is divided into a first body portion that is an annular portion around the axis line and a second body portion that is an annular portion around the axis line, The first body portion and the second body portion are attached to each other in the axial direction with the conductive path member sandwiched therebetween. The conductive method of claim 11.

14. the conductive path member is formed of a conductive member that is a member having electrical conductivity and that is annular about the axis line, and a metal member that is a member formed of a metal material and that is annular about the axis line, The conductive member and the metal member are stacked in the axial direction, The metal member is exposed on the outer periphery side, an end portion of the conductive member on an inner circumferential side annular about the axis line is brought into contact with an inner circumferential side member forming the annular gap; The conductive method of claim 11.

15. The closing member seals the gap. The conductive method of claim 11.

16. The gap is a gap between a through hole and an axis passing through the through hole. The conductive method of claim 11.

17. the gap is a gap between a through hole and a shaft passing through the through hole, The closing member forms a sealing structure for sealing the gap, the first main body portion is formed by a reinforcing ring that is a member annular about the axis line, and an elastic body portion that is a member formed of an elastic material annular about the axis line and attached to the reinforcing ring, the second main body portion is formed by a support ring that is a ring-shaped member around the axis line, and an elastic body portion that is a ring-shaped member made of an elastic material around the axis line attached to the support ring, The elastic body portion of the first main body portion is brought into contact with the shaft, The elastic body portion of the second main body portion extends to a side opposite to the side of the first main body portion in the axial direction and increases in diameter as it moves toward the opposite side. The conductive method of claim 13.

18. Used in differential devices, The through-hole is provided in a housing of the differential device, The shaft is an output shaft of the differential device.

18. The conductive method according to claim 16 or 17.

Images