Semi-metallic gasket, motor, and sealing method for motor

Abstract

To provide a semi-metallic gasket which is easily sucked by a suction hand of a robot for assembling a motor.SOLUTION: A semi-metallic gasket which is provided in a motor including a first member and a second member each having an annular cross section and seals between the first member and the second member includes an annular bead portion formed of a semi-metal and a plurality of sucked portions which protrude from the bead portion and can be sucked by a suction hand of a robot which performs an assembling operation of the motor, and the plurality of sucked portions are arranged point-symmetrically with respect to a center point of the annular bead portion and protrude inward of the annular bead portion along a thickness direction of the bead portion.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a semi-metallic gasket for a motor, a motor provided with the semi-metallic gasket, and a method for sealing a motor using the semi-metallic gasket. [Background technology]

[0002] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Publication No. 2013-207815 discloses a semi-metallic gasket that seals between two case members of a motor. This semi-metallic gasket has a metal substrate and a resin material (rubber material). The metal substrate is a thin metal plate. The resin material coats the metal substrate. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The thickness of a semi-metallic gasket is preferably as small (thin) as possible to increase the surface pressure that the semi-metallic gasket receives. However, a semi-metallic gasket with a small thickness is difficult to pick up with a robot's suction hand.

[0004] The present invention aims to solve the above-mentioned problems.

[0005] A first aspect of the present invention is a semi-metallic gasket that is provided in a motor having a first member and a second member, each of which has a ring-shaped cross section, and that seals between the first member and the second member, the semi-metallic gasket comprising a ring-shaped bead portion made of semi-metal, and a plurality of attractable portions that protrude from the bead portion and can be attracted by a suction hand of a robot that performs assembly work on the motor, the plurality of attractable portions being arranged point-symmetrically with respect to the center point of the ring shape of the bead portion and protruding inward of the ring shape of the bead portion along the wall width direction of the bead portion.

[0006] A second aspect of the present invention is a motor provided with the semi-metallic gasket described in the first aspect, comprising the first member and the second member, and the space between the first member and the second member is sealed by the semi-metallic gasket.

[0007] A third aspect of the present invention is a sealing method for sealing between a first member and a second member provided in a motor using the semi-metallic gasket described in the first aspect, and includes a suction step of suctioning the suctioned portion of the semi-metallic gasket with the suction hand, a placement step of placing the semi-metallic gasket suctioned by the suction hand on the first member of the motor, and a contact step of contacting the second member of the motor with the semi-metallic gasket from the side opposite the first member.

[0008] According to an aspect of the present invention, a semi-metallic gasket that can be easily sucked by a suction hand is provided, and a motor including the semi-metallic gasket and a method for sealing the motor are also provided. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a front view of the semi-metallic gasket according to the embodiment. [Figure 2] Fig. 2A is an end view taken along line IIA-IIA in Fig. 1. Fig. 2B is an end view taken along line IIB-IIB in Fig. 1. [Figure 3] FIG. 1 is a side view of a motor according to an embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the motor of FIG. 3. [Figure 5] 1 is a flowchart illustrating the flow of a motor sealing method according to an embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a front view of a semi-metallic gasket according to a first modified example. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a front view of another semi-metallic gasket according to Modification 1. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] [Embodiment] Fig. 1 is a front view of a semi-metallic gasket 10 according to an embodiment. Fig. 1 shows a "first direction D1" and a "second direction D2" used in the following description.

[0011] The semi-metallic gasket 10 is a sealing member for a motor 22. The motor 22 includes a first member (e.g., the core block 24 in FIG. 3) and a second member (e.g., the front housing 26 in FIG. 3). Each of the first member and the second member is a substantially cylindrical member having an annular cross section (end face). The first member and the second member are connected to each other so as to connect the cylindrical inner circumferential spaces of the first member and the second member. The semi-metallic gasket 10 seals the gap between the first member and the second member.

[0012] The semi-metallic gasket 10 shown in FIG. 1 includes a bead portion 12, a plurality of attracted portions 14, and a plurality of insertion portions 16.

[0013] The bead portion 12 has a ring shape corresponding to the end face shape (ring shape) of the first member and the end face shape (ring shape) of the second member. For example, the core block 24 and the front housing 26 illustrated in FIG. 3 each have a substantially polygonal ring shape (substantially octagonal ring shape). In this case, as shown in FIG. 1, the bead portion 12 also has a substantially polygonal ring shape (substantially octagonal ring shape). Note that if the core block 24 and the front housing 26 each have, for example, a circular ring shape, the bead portion 12 may also have a circular ring shape.

[0014] The bead portion 12 receives pressure (surface pressure) from both the first member and the second member. It is preferable that the surface pressure be applied as uniformly as possible to the entire bead portion 12. Therefore, it is preferable that the entire bead portion 12 on the first direction D1 side contacts the end face of the first member. It is also preferable that the entire bead portion 12 on the second direction D2 side contacts the end face of the second member. As a result, surface pressure is applied to the entire bead portion 12 on the first direction D1 side and the entire bead portion 12 on the second direction D2 side. Furthermore, it is preferable that the ring shape of the bead portion 12 is point-symmetrical with respect to the center point P of the ring shape. This makes it easier to uniformly apply surface pressure to the bead portion 12.

[0015] FIG. 2A is an end view taken along line IIA-IIA in FIG.

[0016] 2A, the bead portion 12 has a metal base material 18 and a resin material 20. The resin material 20 coats the metal base material 18. The resin material 20 has elasticity. The elastic resin material 20 is, for example, rubber.

[0017] In order to improve the airtightness between the first member and the second member, it is preferable that the surface pressure that the bead portion 12 receives from each of the first member and the second member be as large as possible. In order to maximize the surface pressure, the bead portion 12 has a protruding portion (bead) 12a. The protruding portion 12a protrudes in the first direction D1. The protruding portion 12a has a ring shape when viewed from the front (see FIG. 1). Such a protruding portion 12a can be easily formed by bending or curving the bead portion 12. When the bead portion 12 comes into close contact with the second member, the protruding portion 12a is pressed particularly strongly against the second member. Therefore, the surface pressure that the bead portion 12 receives can be made particularly large at the protruding portion 12a.

[0018] In addition, the thickness W of the bead portion 12 12 By making the thickness W of the bead portion 12 thinner (smaller), the contact area between the bead portion 12 and the first member can be reduced. 12By making the thickness W of the bead portion 12 thinner (smaller), the contact area of ​​the bead portion 12 with the second member can be reduced. By reducing the contact area of ​​the bead portion 12, the surface pressure that the bead portion 12 receives can be increased accordingly. Therefore, although it depends on the respective dimensions of the first member and the second member, the thickness W of the bead portion 12 can be reduced. 12 is preferably as thin (small) as possible. The wall width direction of the semi-metallic gasket 10 has a third direction D3 and a fourth direction D4 in FIG. 2A. Each of the third direction D3 and the fourth direction D4 is perpendicular to the first direction D1 (second direction D2). The third direction D3 is a direction from the inside of the annular shape of the bead portion 12 to the outside of the annular shape. The fourth direction D4 is a direction opposite to the third direction D3.

[0019] However, simply pursuing the magnitude of the surface pressure applied to the bead portion 12 as described above makes it difficult to automate the assembly work of the motor. That is, in the process of automatically assembling the motor, a robot picks up the semi-metallic gasket 10 with a suction hand. The robot's suction hand can easily pick up an object with a flat shape, but has difficulty picking up an object with an uneven shape. In this respect, the shape of the bead portion 12 with the protrusion 12a is an uneven shape that is difficult to pick up with the robot's suction hand. In addition, the wall width W 12 The bead portion 12 having a narrow wall width W is difficult to secure a contact area with the suction hand. As a result, it becomes difficult to suction the bead portion 12 with the suction hand. 12 If the distance is less than 1 cm, it becomes particularly difficult for the suction hand to pick up the object.

[0020] FIG. 2B is an end view taken along line IIB-IIB in FIG.

[0021] Therefore, the semi-metallic gasket 10 of this embodiment includes the adhered portions 14 as described above. As illustrated in FIG. 2B, each of the adhered portions 14 is formed by widening the bead portion 12 in the wall width direction (fourth direction D4). Each of the adhered portions 14 has a surface 14a and a surface 14b. The surface 14a is a flat surface facing the first direction D1. The surface 14b is a flat surface on the back side of the surface 14a.

[0022] The suction hand is, for example, the thickness W of the bead portion 12. 12 Even if the surface of each of the plurality of adsorbed portions 14 is thin, it can be adsorbed. Moreover, each of the plurality of adsorbed portions 14 has a flat surface 14a (14b). As described above, a suction hand can easily adsorb a flat surface. Therefore, the semi-metallic gasket 10 of this embodiment can be easily adsorbed by a suction hand.

[0023] As shown in FIG. 1, it is more preferable that at least two of the multiple attracting portions 14 are arranged so as to sandwich an imaginary line L passing through a point on the bead portion 12 and the center point P of the ring shape. Here, the imaginary line L is an imaginary line passing through a point on the bead portion 12 and the center point P of the ring shape. This makes it easier for the suction hand to pick up both sides of the imaginary line L. As a result, it becomes easier to lift the semi-metallic gasket 10 in a balanced (horizontal) state with the suction hand. Note that the imaginary line L is not limited to the example shown in FIG. 1, as long as it passes through a point on the bead portion 12 and the center point P of the ring shape.

[0024] The plurality of attracted portions 14 are preferably arranged point-symmetrically about the center point P of the ring shape of the bead portion 12 (see FIG. 1). This makes it easier to apply a uniform surface pressure over the entire semi-metallic gasket 10.

[0025] Each of the multiple insertion portions 16 has a hole 16a (a through-hole 16a that penetrates the semi-metallic gasket 10 in the second direction D2). A connecting member is inserted into each of the multiple holes 16a. The connecting member is a member (for example, a screw 34 in FIG. 4) that connects the first member and the second member.

[0026] It is more preferable that the multiple insertion portions 16 be arranged point-symmetrically around the center point P of the ring-shaped bead portion 12. In other words, increasing the tightening force of the screw 34 causes the first and second members to tightly adhere to the semi-metallic gasket 10. As a result, the tightening force of the screw 34 acts particularly strongly around the hole 16a. Consequently, the area of ​​the semi-metallic gasket 10 surrounding the hole 16a experiences a higher surface pressure than other areas. Arranging the multiple insertion portions 16 point-symmetrically around the center point P of the ring-shaped bead portion 12 allows a high surface pressure to be applied uniformly across the entire semi-metallic gasket 10. From the perspective of applying a high surface pressure in a balanced manner across the entire semi-metallic gasket 10, it is more preferable to arrange three or more insertion portions 16 as evenly spaced as possible. For example, if the bead portion 12 has a generally polygonal ring shape as shown in FIG. 1 , it is preferable that the multiple insertion portions 16 be arranged at the corners 12e of the bead portion 12.

[0027] Fig. 3 is a side view of the motor 22 according to the embodiment, and Fig. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the motor 22 of Fig. 3.

[0028] Next, a description will be given of a motor 22 equipped with the semi-metallic gasket 10. The motor 22 in Fig. 3 includes a core block 24, a front housing 26, a rear housing 28, and a plurality of semi-metallic gaskets 10 (10A, 10B).

[0029] The core block 24 is a stator of the motor 22. The core block 24 is cylindrical. Therefore, the core block 24 has a ring shape when viewed from the first direction D1. A shaft 30 is disposed inside the cylinder (ring) of the core block 24. The shaft 30 is an axial member for outputting the rotational force of the motor 22.

[0030] The front housing 26 is a case that covers the core block 24 from the first direction D1. Although not shown, the front housing 26 has a ring shape that matches the ring shape of the core block 24 when viewed from the second direction D2. The shaft 30 passes through the front housing 26. As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the front housing 26 may be provided with a flange (disc-shaped joint) 26a, which makes it easy to connect the motor 22 to other mechanical devices.

[0031] The core block 24 and the front housing 26 are connected to each other by a plurality of screws 34. That is, the core block 24 has a plurality of insertion holes 24a. The front housing 26 has a plurality of insertion holes 26b. The plurality of screws 34 are inserted through the plurality of insertion holes 24a and the plurality of insertion holes 26b. In this way, the core block 24 and the front housing 26 are connected to each other.

[0032] The semi-metallic gasket 10A is disposed between the front housing 26 and the core block 24. The semi-metallic gasket 10A tightly seals the gap between the front housing 26 and the core block 24. The screws 34 are inserted through the holes 16a in the semi-metallic gasket 10A. Therefore, the semi-metallic gasket 10A does not impede the connection between the front housing 26 and the core block 24.

[0033] The rear housing 28 is a case that covers the core block 24 from the second direction D2. Although not shown in the figure, the rear housing 28 has a ring shape that matches the core block 24 when viewed from the first direction D1. Although also not shown in the figure, the rear housing 28 is connected to the second direction D2 side of the core block 24 by a plurality of screws 34.

[0034] The semi-metallic gasket 10B is disposed between the rear housing 28 and the core block 24. The semi-metallic gasket 10B is similar to the semi-metallic gasket 10A except that it is disposed between the rear housing 28 and the core block 24. Therefore, a description of the semi-metallic gasket 10B will be omitted.

[0035] The above is an example of the configuration of the motor 22. The motor 22 is equipped with a semi-metallic gasket 10 that can be easily sucked by a suction hand. Therefore, the motor 22 is easy to assemble for a robot equipped with a suction hand. The location where the semi-metallic gasket 10 is to be assembled is not particularly limited as long as it is a location on the motor 22 that needs to be sealed.

[0036] Finally, a sealing method (a method for sealing the motor 22) will be described. This sealing method is a method for obtaining the motor 22 illustrated in Figures 3 and 4. For the sake of illustration, the following describes a case in which the semi-metallic gasket 10A is used to seal between the front housing 26 and the core block 24.

[0037] FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating the flow of a method for sealing the motor 22 according to the embodiment.

[0038] The sealing method includes a suction step S1, a placement step S2, and a close contact step S3. As illustrated in Fig. 5, the suction step S1, the placement step S2, and the close contact step S3 are performed in this order.

[0039] First, in the suction step S1, the suction hand of the robot picks up the semi-metallic gasket 10 A. The suction hand picks up the plurality of suction target portions 14, so that the semi-metallic gasket 10 A can be easily picked up.

[0040] Next, in a placing step S2, the suction hand places the semi-metallic gasket 10A on the core block (first member) 24.

[0041] In the contacting step S3, for example, a press machine presses the front housing (second member) 26 toward the core block 24 (in the second direction D2) from the side opposite the core block 24. This brings the front housing 26 and the semi-metallic gasket 10A into close contact with each other. The semi-metallic gasket 10A also brings the semi-metallic gasket 10A into close contact with the core block 24. The press machine applies a force to the front housing 26 that is strong enough to crush the protruding portion 12a. This creates a strong seal between the front housing 26 and the core block 24 by the semi-metallic gasket 10A. Note that means other than a press machine may be used as long as they can achieve close contact between the front housing 26 and the semi-metallic gasket 10A and between the semi-metallic gasket 10A and the core block 24.

[0042] The above is the flow of the sealing method illustrated in Fig. 5. After the contact step S3, the front housing 26 and the core block 24 are connected with a plurality of screws 34.

[0043] In the placing step S2, the semi-metallic gasket 10A may be placed on the front housing 26. In this case, in the adhering step S3, the core block 24 is brought into close contact with the semi-metallic gasket 10A from the side opposite to the front housing 26.

[0044] When the semi-metallic gasket 10B is used to seal between the core block 24 and the rear housing 28, the above sealing method is carried out with the rear housing 28 as the second member.

[0045] [Variations] Hereinafter, several specific examples of modifications of the embodiment will be disclosed. Note that components already described in the embodiment will be assigned the same reference numerals as in the embodiment. Furthermore, descriptions that overlap with the embodiment will be omitted as much as possible.

[0046] (Variation 1) Fig. 6 is a front view of the semi-metallic gasket 10 according to Modification 1. Fig. 7 is a front view of another semi-metallic gasket 10 according to Modification 1.

[0047] As shown in each of Figures 6 and 7, the shape of the semi-metallic gasket 10 is not limited to that shown in the example embodiment (Figure 1). Figure 6 illustrates a semi-metallic gasket 10 having a bead portion 12 that is annular in front view and a protrusion 12a that is also annular in front view. On the other hand, Figure 7 illustrates a semi-metallic gasket 10 having a bead portion 12 that is substantially rectangular in front view and a protrusion 12a that is also substantially rectangular in front view.

[0048] (Variation 2) Each of the multiple adsorbed portions 14 described in the embodiment extends in the fourth direction D4 from the bead portion 12. However, this is not limiting, and each of the multiple adsorbed portions 14 may extend in the third direction D3 from the bead portion 12.

[0049] (Variation 3) The protruding portion 12a of the bead portion 12 may protrude in the second direction D2. In this case, the protruding portion 12a is pressed particularly strongly against the first member (core block 24 in FIG. 3) when the bead portion 12 is in close contact with the first member. Even in this case, the surface pressure that the bead portion 12 receives can be made particularly large at the protruding portion 12a.

[0050] (Variation 4) The number of adsorbed portions 14 provided on the semi-metallic gasket 10 is not limited to a plurality, and may be a single portion.

[0051] (Variation 5) In the embodiment, it has been explained that there is no particular limitation on the location where the semi-metallic gasket 10 is attached. In this modified example, a specific example will be given.

[0052] For example, a connector may be connected to the rear housing 28. In this case, the semi-metallic gasket 10 may seal between the rear housing 28 and the connector. In this case, one of the rear housing 28 and the connector is the first member, and the other is the second member.

[0053] For example, a bracket may be connected to the rear housing 28. In this case, the semi-metallic gasket 10 may seal between the rear housing 28 and the bracket. In this case, one of the rear housing 28 and the bracket is the first member, and the other is the second member.

[0054] Furthermore, an encoder may be connected to the bracket. In this case, the semi-metallic gasket 10 may seal between the bracket and the encoder. In this case, one of the bracket and the encoder is the first member, and the other is the second member.

[0055] (Variation 6) The number of semi-metallic gaskets 10 provided in the motor 22 may be changed as needed. For example, the number of semi-metallic gaskets 10 provided in the motor 22 may be one.

[0056] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment and modifications, and various configurations can be adopted without departing from the gist of the present invention.

[0057] [Inventions Obtained from the Embodiments] The invention that can be understood from the above-described embodiment and modifications will be described below.

[0058] <First invention> A semi-metallic gasket (10) is provided on a motor (22) having first members (24, 26, 28) and second members (24, 26, 28) each having a ring-shaped cross section, and seals between the first members (24, 26, 28) and the second members (24, 26, 28). The semi-metallic gasket (10) comprises a ring-shaped bead portion (12) made of semi-metal, and an adsorbed portion (14) that is adsorbed by a suction hand of a robot, and the adsorbed portion (14) protrudes from the bead portion (12) along the wall width direction of the bead portion (12).

[0059] This provides a semi-metallic gasket (10) that can be easily sucked by a suction hand.

[0060] The ring shape of the bead portion 12 may be point symmetrical with respect to a center point P of the ring shape of the bead portion 12. This makes it easier for a surface pressure to be applied to the bead portion 12 uniformly.

[0061] The first members (24, 26, 28) and the second members (24, 26, 28) may be connected by a plurality of connecting members (34), and may include a plurality of insertion portions (16) having holes (16a) into which the plurality of connecting members (34) are inserted, and the plurality of insertion portions (16) may be provided in the bead portion (12) point-symmetrically with respect to the center point (P). This makes it easier for a large surface pressure to be applied uniformly to the bead portion (12).

[0062] The semi-metallic gasket (10) may include at least two of the attracting portions (14), and the two attracting portions (14) may be arranged on either side of an imaginary line (L) passing through a point on the ring-shaped bead portion (12) and the center point (P). This makes it easier to lift the semi-metallic gasket (10) in a balanced (horizontal) state with a suction hand.

[0063] <Second Invention> A motor (22) provided with the semi-metallic gasket (10) according to the first aspect of the present invention, comprising the first member (24, 26, 28) and the second member (24, 26, 28), wherein the first member (24, 26, 28) and the second member (24, 26, 28) are sealed by the semi-metallic gasket (10).

[0064] This provides a motor (22) that is easy to assemble for a robot.

[0065] <Third invention> The sealing method uses the semi-metallic gasket (10) described in the first invention to seal between a first member (24, 26, 28) and a second member (24, 26, 28) provided on the motor (22), and includes: a suction step (S1) of suctioning the suction target portion (14) of the semi-metallic gasket (10) with the suction hand; a placement step (S2) of placing the semi-metallic gasket (10) suctioned by the suction hand on the first member (24, 26, 28) of the motor (22); and a contact step (S3) of contacting the second member (24, 26, 28) of the motor (22) with the semi-metallic gasket (10) from the side opposite to the first member (24, 26, 28).

[0066] This provides a sealing method that is easy to automate. [Explanation of symbols]

[0067] 10...Semi-metallic gasket 12...Bead part 14...Attracted part 16...Inserted part 16a...hole 22...motor 24...Core block (first member, second member) 26...Front housing (first member, second member) 28...Rear housing (first member, second member) 34...Screw (connecting member) L...Imaginary straight line P…center point

Claims

1. A semi-metallic gasket is provided in a motor including a first member and a second member, each of which has an annular cross section, and seals between the first member and the second member, a ring-shaped bead portion made of semi-metal; a plurality of suction target portions protruding from the bead portion and capable of being suctioned by a suction hand of a robot performing assembly work of the motor; Equipped with a plurality of the adsorbed portions are arranged point-symmetrically with respect to a center point of the ring shape of the bead portion, and protrude inward of the ring shape of the bead portion along a wall width direction of the bead portion.

2. 2. The semi-metallic gasket according to claim 1, three or more insertion portions each having a hole into which a connecting member that connects the first member and the second member can be inserted; a semi-metallic gasket, wherein the three or more insertion portions are arranged at equal intervals along the circumferential direction of the bead portion;

3. A motor provided with the semi-metallic gasket according to claim 1 or 2, the first member and the second member; a motor, wherein the first member and the second member are sealed by the semi-metallic gasket.

4. A method for sealing a gap between a first member and a second member provided in the motor using the semi-metallic gasket according to claim 1 or 2, comprising: a suction step of suctioning the suction target portion of the semi-metallic gasket by the suction hand; a placing step of placing the semi-metallic gasket sucked by the suction hand on the first member of the motor; a contact step of contacting the second member of the motor with the semi-metallic gasket from an opposite side to the first member; A method for sealing a motor, comprising:

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