Sealing device, sealing structure, method for assembling a sealing structure
The sealing device with a groove and bendable second seal portion addresses the issue of increased axial force and worsened sliding properties in rotary valve devices, improving assembly and performance by reducing the radial reaction force.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- JP · JP
- Patent Type
- Patents
- Current Assignee / Owner
- NOK CORP
- Filing Date
- 2023-07-19
- Publication Date
- 2026-04-14
AI Technical Summary
The existing rotary valve devices suffer from increased axial force and worsened sliding properties due to the reaction force generated by the outer rib of the sealing member, which is made of an elastic material and integrally molded with a solid cross-section, affecting assembly and performance.
A sealing device with a first seal portion having a groove on its outer circumferential surface and a bendable second seal portion that can be bent during assembly, reducing the radial component of the reaction force transmitted between the seal portions.
The solution reduces the radial component of the reaction force, improving the ease of assembly and sliding performance of the sealing device, thereby enhancing the overall functionality and assembly efficiency.
Smart Images

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Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] The present disclosure relates to a sealing device, a sealing structure, and a method for assembling a sealing structure.
Background Art
[0002] As a device for switching the flow state of a fluid flowing through a plurality of flow paths provided in one mechanical system, a rotary valve device is known. For example, the thermal management system TM of an electric vehicle shown in FIG. 1 has four circulation flow paths CF1, CF2, CF3, CF4 through which a coolant flows, and a multi-port valve V10 as an example of a rotary valve device. The circulation flow path CF1 is provided around the battery unit BT. The circulation flow path CF2 is provided around the heat exchanger R1 and has a pump P1. The circulation flow path CF3 is provided around the heat exchanger R2 and the capacitor C2 and has a tank RT. The circulation flow path CF4 is provided around the electronic components ED and the axle AX and has a pump P2.
[0003] The multi-port valve V10 is provided so that the circulation flow paths CF1 to 4 can merge with each other. The multi-port valve V10 has a housing V2, a rotor V3, and a sealing device V4. The housing V2 has a plurality of port portions V2a connected to the circulation flow paths CF1 to 4. The rotor V3 is provided rotatably around the central axis OV inside the housing V2. The rotor V3 has a plurality of port portions V3a that can be connected to the port portions V2a, and a plurality of flow paths V3b that connect two of the plurality of port portions V3a. The sealing device V4 seals between the housing V2 and the rotor V3 in a state where the coolant can flow between the port portion V2a and the port portion V3a. By rotating the rotor V3, the multi-port valve V10 switches the interconnection state of the circulation channels CF1-4 and the flow state of the coolant flowing through the circulation channels CF1-4. In addition, other circulation channels are provided around the heat exchanger R2 and condenser C2, including an evaporator ER, an accumulator AR, a compressor CP, and a condenser C1.
[0004] As a rotary valve device structure, there is a known type, as described in Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2018-96543 (hereinafter referred to as Patent Document 1), which comprises a valve body (i.e., housing) having a valve chamber, a valve element (i.e., rotor) arranged in the valve chamber and rotating via a valve shaft, and a sealing member arranged between the valve element and the valve body, having a cylindrical body (i.e., a first sealing portion) and an outer rib (i.e., a second sealing portion). [Overview of the Initiative] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]
[0005] The sealing member described in Patent Document 1 has a cylindrical body and an outer rib integrally molded and is made of an elastic material such as synthetic rubber. The outer rib, made of an elastic material, has a solid cross-section. When assembled as a valve device, the outer rib generates a reaction force corresponding to the fitting force applied from the valve body in the direction of the central axis of the cylindrical body and transmits it to the cylindrical body. The reaction force generated in the outer rib is an elastic force due to the elastic material. The reaction force from the outer rib acts on the cylindrical body in the same direction as the fitting force and increases the axial force from the inner circumference of the cylindrical body. Since the inner circumference of the cylindrical body is in contact with the valve body, the increase in force from the cylindrical body may worsen the sliding properties of the sealing member with respect to the valve body. In addition, an increase in force from the cylindrical body may worsen the assembly of the sealing member in the valve device.
[0006] This disclosure aims to reduce the radial component of the reaction force transmitted from the second seal portion to the first seal portion during assembly. [Means for solving the problem]
[0007] A first aspect of this disclosure is a sealing device assembled between a cylindrical housing and a rotor that is coaxially arranged inside the housing and rotates around an axis. The sealing device is A first seal portion having a main body portion along the outer diameter portion of the rotor, The aforementioned main body portion includes a port portion that penetrates radially, A groove formed on the outer circumferential surface of the main body, having a groove bottom parallel to the outer circumferential surface, and formed so as to surround the port portion when viewed from the outer circumferential surface side in the radial direction, A first sealing portion having, A second sealing portion is mounted in the groove so as to contact the bottom of the groove and seals the space between the housing and the first sealing portion, and the second sealing portion has a bendable portion that can be bent during assembly, It has. A second aspect of the present disclosure is a sealing device assembled between a cylindrical housing and a rotor that is coaxially arranged inside the housing and rotates around an axis. The sealing device is A first seal portion having a main body portion along the outer diameter portion of the rotor, The aforementioned main body portion includes a port portion that penetrates radially, A groove formed on the outer circumferential surface of the main body, having a groove bottom parallel to the outer circumferential surface, and formed so as to surround the port portion when viewed from the outer circumferential surface side in the radial direction, A first sealing portion having, A second sealing portion is mounted in the groove so as to contact the bottom of the groove and seals the space between the housing and the first sealing portion, and the second sealing portion has a bendable portion that can be bent in a direction intersecting the radial direction during assembly, It has.
[0008] A third aspect of this disclosure is a sealing device assembled between a cylindrical housing and a rotor that is coaxially arranged inside the housing and rotates around an axis. The sealing device is A first seal portion having a main body portion along the outer diameter portion of the rotor, The aforementioned main body portion includes a port portion that penetrates radially, A groove formed on the outer circumferential surface of the main body, having a groove bottom parallel to the outer circumferential surface, and formed so as to surround the port portion when viewed from the outer circumferential surface side in the radial direction, A first sealing portion having, A second sealing portion is mounted in the groove so as to contact the bottom of the groove and seals the space between the housing and the first sealing portion, and the second sealing portion is bendable during assembly, It has. A fourth aspect of this disclosure is a sealing device assembled between a cylindrical housing and a rotor that is coaxially arranged inside the housing and rotates around an axis. The sealing device is A first seal portion having a main body portion along the outer diameter portion of the rotor, The aforementioned main body portion includes a port portion that penetrates radially, A groove formed on the outer circumferential surface of the main body, having a groove bottom parallel to the outer circumferential surface, and formed so as to surround the port portion when viewed from the outer circumferential surface side in the radial direction, A first sealing portion having, A second sealing portion is mounted in the groove so as to contact the bottom of the groove and seals the space between the housing and the first sealing portion, and the second sealing portion is bendable in a direction intersecting the radial direction during assembly, It has.
[0009] A fifth aspect of this disclosure is a sealing structure. This sealing structure is A cylindrical housing and A rotor is coaxially arranged inside the housing and rotates around its axis, A first seal portion having a main body portion along the outer diameter portion of the rotor, The aforementioned main body portion includes a port portion that penetrates radially, A groove formed on the outer circumferential surface of the main body, having a groove bottom parallel to the outer circumferential surface, and formed so as to surround the port portion when viewed from the outer circumferential surface side in the radial direction, a first seal part having a second seal part that is attached to the groove part so as to contact the groove bottom and seals in a bent state between the housing and the first seal part and has. A sixth aspect of the present disclosure is a sealing structure. The sealing structure a cylindrical housing, a rotor that is coaxially arranged inside the housing and rotates around an axis, a first seal part having a main body part along the outer diameter part of the rotor, a port part that penetrates the main body part in the radial direction, a groove part formed on the outer peripheral surface of the main body part, having a groove bottom parallel to the outer peripheral surface, and formed so as to surround the port part when viewed from the outer peripheral surface side in the radial direction a first seal part having a second seal part that is attached to the groove part so as to contact the groove bottom and seals in a direction intersecting the radial direction between the housing and the first seal part and has.
[0010] A seventh aspect of the present disclosure is a sealing device assembled between a cylindrical housing and a rotor that is coaxially arranged inside the housing and rotates around an axis. The sealing device a first seal part having a main body part along the outer diameter part of the rotor, a port part that penetrates the main body part in the radial direction, a groove part formed on the outer peripheral surface of the main body part so as to surround the port part when viewed from the outer peripheral surface side in the radial direction, the groove part having a pair of inclined surfaces that open toward the housing side a first seal part having a second seal part that is attached to the groove part and seals between the housing and the first seal part, the second seal part contacting the pair of inclined surfaces and has. An eighth aspect of the present disclosure is a sealing device assembled between a cylindrical housing and a rotor coaxially disposed inside the housing and rotating about an axis. The sealing device is a first seal portion having a body portion along an outer diameter portion of the rotor, a port portion penetrating the body portion in a radial direction, a groove portion formed on an outer peripheral surface of the body portion so as to surround the port portion as viewed from the outer peripheral surface side in the radial direction, the groove portion having a pair of inclined surfaces linearly inclined in a direction intersecting the radial direction in a cross-sectional view, and a groove bottom, and the first seal portion having the same; a second seal portion mounted in the groove portion to seal between the housing and the first seal portion, the second seal portion contacting the pair of inclined surfaces; and having the same, the groove bottom forms a first gap between the groove bottom and the second seal portion, and the second seal portion is deformable toward the first gap during assembly.
[0011] Another aspect of the present disclosure is the sealing device according to any one of the first aspect to the fourth aspect, the seventh aspect, and the eighth aspect, wherein the second seal portion may have a hollow circular cross-section.
[0012] Another aspect of the present disclosure is the sealing device according to any one of the first aspect to the fourth aspect, the seventh aspect, and the eighth aspect, wherein the second seal portion may have a C-shaped cross-section.
[0013] Another aspect of the present disclosure is the sealing device according to any one of the first aspect to the fourth aspect, the seventh aspect, and the eighth aspect, wherein the second seal portion may have a substantially solid circular cross-section and an opening formed in a slit shape extending from an outer periphery of the cross-section of the second seal portion toward a cross-section center.
[0014] Other embodiments of the present disclosure are sealing devices according to any one of the first to fourth embodiments, seventh embodiment and eighth embodiment, wherein the second sealing portion includes an outer end that contacts the housing, and the housing may come into contact with the outer end as it is assembled by moving relative to the first sealing portion in the axial direction from a first direction to a second direction opposite to the first direction. [Effects of the Invention]
[0015] According to this disclosure, the radial component of the reaction force transmitted from the second seal portion to the first seal portion during assembly can be reduced. [Brief explanation of the drawing]
[0016] [Figure 1] This is a schematic diagram of a cooling system for an electric vehicle equipped with a rotary valve mechanism. [Figure 2] This is an exploded perspective view of the sealing structure of the first embodiment. [Figure 3] This is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the sealing structure of the first embodiment. [Figure 4] This is a perspective view of the sealing device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 5] This is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the sealing device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 6] (a) is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the second seal portion of the first embodiment in which only one open end is in contact with the edge of the housing. (b) is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the second seal portion of the first embodiment in which the other open end is in contact with the edge of the housing. (c) is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the sealing structure of the first embodiment when the assembly is completed. [Figure 7] (a) is an enlarged cross-sectional view when the second seal portion of the comparative embodiment is not in contact with the housing. (b) is an enlarged cross-sectional view when the sealing structure of the comparative embodiment has been assembled. [Figure 8] This graph shows the relationship between the amount of deformation of the seal portion and the reaction force when assembling the sealing structure of the first embodiment. [Figure 9]This is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the sealing device according to the second embodiment. [Figure 10] (a) is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the second embodiment when the housing, which is inserted relative to the sealing structure, begins to contact the folded end of the second seal portion during assembly. (b) is an enlarged cross-sectional view when the housing is inserted further relative to the sealing structure than in (a). (c) is an enlarged cross-sectional view when the assembly of the second embodiment of the sealing structure is completed. [Figure 11] This is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the sealing device according to the third embodiment. [Figure 12] This is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the sealing device according to the fourth embodiment. [Figure 13] This is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the sealing device according to the fifth embodiment. [Figure 14] This is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the sealing device according to the sixth embodiment. [Figure 15] This is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the sealing device according to the seventh embodiment. [Figure 16] This is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a modified example of the sealing device relating to this disclosure. [Figure 17] (a) is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the second seal portion of the other comparative embodiment when it is not in contact with the housing. (b) is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the sealing structure of the other comparative embodiment when it is fully assembled. [Figure 18] This is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a modified example of the sealing device relating to this disclosure. [Figure 19] (a) is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the modified sealing device according to the present disclosure when the second sealing portion is not in contact with the housing. (b) is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the modified sealing device according to the present disclosure when it has been assembled. [Modes for carrying out the invention]
[0017] The embodiments relating to this disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings. The sealing structure 10 according to this disclosure is a rotary valve device that switches the flow state of fluids flowing through multiple flow paths provided in a single mechanical system (not shown).
[0018] (1) First Embodiment The sealing structure 10 of the first embodiment includes a housing 20, a rotor 30, and a sealing device 40, as shown in Figures 2 and 3.
[0019] The housing 20 is a hollow cylindrical shape extending along a central axis CA. The housing 20 has a plurality (four in this embodiment) of port holes 20p on its cylindrical surface. The plurality of port holes 20p are formed aligned along the circumferential direction. Each port hole 20p penetrates the cylindrical surface radially. The housing 20 has an inner circumferential surface 20b. The housing 20 has locking means (not shown). The housing 20 is engageable with a first engaging portion (not shown) provided around the sealing structure 10 in a mechanical system (not shown). By engaging the locking means with the first engaging portion, the housing 20 is fixed relative to the mechanical system.
[0020] The rotor 30 is substantially cylindrical and is arranged coaxially inside the housing 20. The rotor 30 is rotatable about a central axis CA. The rotor 30 has a main body portion 32, a protruding portion 33, and a flow path portion 34.
[0021] The main body 32 is cylindrical in shape and extends along the central axis CA. The main body 32 has an outer diameter portion 32a and a plurality of (two in this embodiment) port holes 30p. The plurality of port holes 30p are arranged circumferentially on the outer diameter portion 32a. The projection 33 is cylindrical and extends along the central axis CA. The projection 33 protrudes from the end face 32e of the main body 32. An opening 36a is formed at the end face of the projection 33. The flow channel section 34 is formed inside the rotor 30. The flow channel section 34 has a first flow channel 36, a plurality of second flow channels 38, and a confluence section 34a. The first flow path 36 extends axially from the opening 36a of the protrusion 33 into the interior of the main body 32. The second flow paths 38 extend radially from each of the port holes 30p of the main body 32 into the interior of the main body 32. The multiple second flow paths 38 correspond to each of the multiple port holes 30p. The first flow path 36 and the multiple second flow paths 38 merge at the confluence 34a. The rotor 30 does not necessarily have to have a first flow path 36 and an opening 36a. It may be configured so that a plurality of second flow paths 38 are connected to one another.
[0022] Each port hole 30p of the rotor 30 faces one of the port holes 20p of the housing 20 when the rotatable rotor 30 is in a predetermined phase. At this time, the fluid flowing through the second flow path 38 flows through the port portion 51p of the sealing device 40 (described later) to the port hole 20p of the housing 20 that faces the port hole 30p. The combination of the port hole 30p of the rotor 30 and the port hole 20p of the housing 20 facing the port hole 30p changes depending on the phase of the rotor 30. In other words, the rotation of the rotor 30 changes the phase of the rotor 30, which in turn changes the combination of the port hole 30p and the port hole 20p. This switches the flow state of the fluid flowing through the mechanical system.
[0023] The fluid flowing through the sealed structure 10 is a liquid such as oil or long-life coolant (LLC).
[0024] <Sealing device 40> The sealing device 40 is assembled between the housing 20 and the rotor 30, as shown in Figure 3. The sealing device 40 has a first sealing portion 50 and a second sealing portion 60.
[0025] <First sealing portion 50> The first seal portion 50 is substantially cylindrical. As shown in Figure 3, the first seal portion 50 is positioned along the outer diameter portion 32a of the rotor 30 during assembly. The first seal portion 50 has a main body portion 51, a plurality (four in this embodiment) of port portions 51p, and a groove portion 54.
[0026] As shown in Figure 4, the main body 51 is a hollow cylindrical shape extending along the central axis CA. The main body 51 has an inner circumferential surface 51a and an outer circumferential surface 51b. The inner circumferential surface 51a of the main body 51 faces the outer diameter portion 32a of the rotor 30 when assembled.
[0027] The main body portion 51 is formed from a resin material. Preferably, the main body portion 51 is formed from a thermoplastic resin material. More preferably, the main body portion 51 is formed from a fluororesin such as polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), ethylene-tetrafluoroethylene copolymer (ETFE), or polychlorotrifluoroethylene (PCTFE). The main body portion 51 may also be formed from an elastomer such as synthetic rubber. It is preferable that the material forming the main body portion 51 has higher rigidity than the material forming the second seal portion 60, which will be described later. Furthermore, it is preferable that the surface of the main body portion 51 has a lower coefficient of friction than the surface of the second seal portion 60.
[0028] The main body 51 has a plurality of locking portions 52 and a plurality of locking portions 53. The locking portions 52 protrude in the first axial direction from a portion of the edge in the first axial direction along the central axis CA of the main body 51. The locking portions 53 protrude in the second axial direction from a portion of the edge in the second axial direction opposite to the first axial direction of the main body 51. The plurality of locking portions 52 and 53 are arranged along the circumferential direction of the main body 51. Each of the locking portions 52 and 53 can engage with a second engaging portion (not shown) provided around the sealing structure 10 in a mechanical system (not shown). The main body 51 is fixed relative to the mechanical system by engaging the locking portions 52 and 53 with the second engaging portion.
[0029] Each port section 51p penetrates the main body section 51 in the radial direction. Multiple port sections 51p correspond to port holes 20p of the housing 20.
[0030] The groove 54 is formed in a concave shape relative to the outer circumferential surface 51b of the main body 51. The groove 54 has an annular groove 55 and a side groove 56. As shown in Figure 4, the annular groove 55 and the side groove 56 are formed to surround each of the multiple port portions 51p when viewed from the radial outer circumferential surface 51b side. The annular groove 55 circles the outer circumferential surface 51b. A pair of annular grooves 55 sandwich the multiple port portions 51p in the axial direction of the main body 51. The side groove 56 is spanned between the pair of annular grooves 55. Multiple side grooves 56 sandwich each of the multiple port portions 51p in the circumferential direction of the main body 51.
[0031] The groove bottoms of the annular groove 55 and the side groove 56 follow a cylindrical surface parallel to the outer circumferential surface 51b. That is, the groove portion 54 has a groove bottom 54a parallel to the outer circumferential surface 51b, as shown in Figure 5. The groove portion 54 also has a groove wall 54b extending from the groove bottom 54a to the outer circumferential surface 51b.
[0032] The first seal portion 50 has the function of sealing the space between the inner circumferential surface 51a of the first seal portion 50 and the outer diameter portion 32a of the rotor 30. Preferably, the sealing function of the first seal portion 50 acts to suppress the intrusion of foreign matter from outside the region where the inner circumferential surface 51a of the first seal portion 50 and the outer diameter portion 32a of the rotor 30 face each other. The sealing function of the first seal portion 50 does not have to act to seal the fluid flowing through the sealing structure 10.
[0033] <Second sealing portion 60> The second seal portion 60 is positioned along the groove portion 54 of the first seal portion 50, as shown in Figure 4. The second seal portion 60 is separate from the first seal portion 50. The second seal portion 60 has an annular portion 67 and a bridging portion 68. The annular portion 67 corresponds to a pair of annular grooves 55 of the groove portion 54. The bridging portion 68 corresponds to the side grooves 56 of the groove portion 54. The bridging portion 68 is spanned between the pair of annular portions 67. The second seal portion 60 has the function of sealing the space between the first seal portion 50 and the housing 20.
[0034] The second seal portion 60 is formed from an elastomer such as synthetic rubber. When the fluid flowing through the sealing structure 10 is LLC, it is preferable that the second seal portion 60 is formed from ethylene propylene diene rubber (EDPM).
[0035] The second sealing portion 60 is made of an elastomer base material having a predetermined cross-sectional shape. Specifically, the second sealing portion 60 has a shape in which the base material is continuously extended in a direction intersecting the cross-section of the base material. That is, each annular portion 67 has a shape in which the cross-section of the base material is continuously extended in an annular shape. In addition, each bridging portion 68 has a shape in which the cross-section of the base material is continuously extended along the central axis CA, with the direction intersecting the cross-section of the base material aligned with the central axis CA of the first sealing portion 50.
[0036] The second seal portion 60 has a V-shaped cross-section, as shown in Figure 5. The V-shaped cross-section of the second seal portion 60 has thickness. In cross-sectional view, the second seal portion 60 opens toward the housing 20. That is, the second seal portion 60 has an opening 60a. The opening 60a opens toward the housing 20. In cross-sectional view, the second seal portion 60 has two open ends 64 and a folded end 66. The second seal portion 60 also has a bent portion 62.
[0037] The opening 60a extends continuously along the direction in which the cross-section of the second sealing portion 60 extends. That is, the opening 60a is aligned with the direction in which the second sealing portion 60 extends. In cross-sectional view, the opening 60a is formed in a concave shape with respect to the outer circumference of the second sealing portion 60.
[0038] The open end 64 is, in cross-sectional view, the end on the open side of the opening 60a, as shown in Figure 5. The two open ends 64 in the annular portion 67 are aligned with each other along the axial direction of the first seal portion 50. The two open ends 64 in the bridging portion 68 are aligned with each other along the circumferential direction of the first seal portion 50.
[0039] The folded end 66 is the end on the side that is folded back in a V-shape in cross-sectional view. The second sealing portion 60 is mounted on the first sealing portion 50 such that its folded end 66 contacts the bottom of the groove 54a. At this time, a gap S1 is formed between the second sealing portion 60 and the groove wall 54b. In other words, a gap S1 is formed between the bent portion 62 of the second sealing portion 60 and the groove portion 54. When the second seal portion 60 is mounted in the groove portion 54, it applies an axial force to the rotor 30 through the inner circumferential surface 51a of the first seal portion 50.
[0040] The second seal portion 60, fitted into the groove 54, has an open end 64 that protrudes radially from the outer circumferential surface 51b of the first seal portion 50. When assembled, the second seal portion 60 fitted into the groove 54 contacts the housing 20 so that its open end 64 can be fitted with the inner circumferential surface 20b of the housing 20. The open end 64 is an example of an outer end. At this time, the second seal portion 60 is pressed by the housing 20 toward the groove bottom 54a, thereby sealing the space between the first seal portion 50 and the housing 20. In this configuration, the second seal portion 60 surrounds the port portion 51p of the first seal portion 50 with an annular portion 67 and a connecting portion 68 when viewed radially. The annular portion 67 suppresses axial leakage of fluid flowing between the port portion 51p of the first seal portion 50 and the port hole 20p of the housing 20. The connecting portion 68 suppresses fluid leakage between adjacent port portions 51p or port holes 20p. At this time, the axial force applied from the first seal portion 50 to the rotor 30 increases as the housing 20 presses the second seal portion 60 against the groove bottom 54a.
[0041] The bent portion 62 is the part of the second seal portion 60 that extends from the two open ends 64 toward the folded end 66. In other words, the bent portion 62 is composed of the open ends 64. The bent portion 62 bends in a direction intersecting the radial direction of the first seal portion 50 when assembled with the housing 20. In other words, the bent portion 62 is bendable in a direction intersecting the radial direction of the first seal portion 50 when assembled. To put it another way, the second seal portion 60 is bendable in a direction intersecting the radial direction of the first seal portion 50 when assembled. The second sealing portion 60 has a space 60b sandwiched between the two open ends 64. The space 60b is adjacent to the bent portion 62 in cross-sectional view. The space 60b is located closer to the center of the cross-section than the bent portion 62 in cross-sectional view. Furthermore, it is preferable that the bending of the bent portion 62 is accompanied by elastic deformation in the axial direction. The bending of the bent portion 62 may also be accompanied by volume compression of the elastomer. The configuration of the second seal portion 60, which allows it to be bent when assembled with the housing 20, will be explained in detail in the assembly method of the sealing structure 10 described later.
[0042] <Method for assembling the sealed structure 10> Next, an example of how to assemble the sealing structure 10 will be described. First, the first seal portion 50 is assembled to the rotor 30. Then, the second seal portion 60 is fitted into the groove portion 54 of the first seal portion 50 that is assembled to the rotor 30. This completes the assembly of the sealing device 40 to the rotor 30.
[0043] Subsequently, the housing 20 is assembled to the sealing device 40 by moving the housing 20 toward the sealing device 40 from the outside in the axial direction (see Figure 6). In other words, the sealing device 40 is assembled by moving the housing 20 relatively from the outside to the inside in the axial direction.
[0044] As shown in Figure 6(a), the first open end 64, which is closer to the housing 20, first contacts the edge of the housing 20. At this time, a moment is applied to the bent portion 62, including the first open end 64, in the direction of movement of the housing 20, in a cross-sectional view. At this time, a fitting force is applied to the second seal portion 60, which is fitted into the groove portion 54, so as to press it from the housing 20 toward the bottom of the groove 54a. At this time, the bent portion 62, including the first open end 64, is bent in a direction intersecting the radial direction of the first seal portion 50. At this time, the bent portion 62, including the first open end 64, bends to close the opening 60a.
[0045] Subsequently, as shown in Figures 6(b) and 6(c), further relative movement of the housing 20 with respect to the sealing device 40 causes the second open end 64 to come into contact with the housing 20. At this time, the second seal portion 60 fitted into the groove 54 is subjected to an additional fitting force from the housing 20 toward the groove bottom 54a. At this point, the bent portion 62, including the second open end 64, is bent in a direction intersecting the radial direction of the first seal portion 50.
[0046] Next, the operation and effects of the sealing device 40, the sealing structure 10, and the assembly method of the sealing structure 10 will be described. In this description, the sealing structure 10H, as a comparative form to the first embodiment, will be explained using Figure 7. When using the same parts as those used in the sealing structure 10 of the first embodiment in the description of the sealing structure 10H, the reference numerals and names of those parts will be used as they are.
[0047] As shown in Figure 7, the comparative sealing structure 10H has a sealing device 40H instead of the sealing device 40 in the first embodiment. As shown in Figure 7, the sealing device 40H has a second sealing portion 60H instead of the second sealing portion 60. As shown in Figure 7(a), the second sealing portion 60H has a solid circular cross-section. That is, the second sealing portion 60H of the comparative embodiment does not have an opening 60a, a bent portion 62, or an open end 64. Also, the second sealing portion 60H of the comparative embodiment does not have a structure that can be bent during assembly. The length of the protrusion of the second sealing portion 60H attached to the first sealing portion 50 from the outer peripheral surface 51b in the radial direction is the same as the protrusion length of the second sealing portion 60 in the first embodiment. Otherwise, the comparative sealing structure 10H has the same configuration as the sealing structure 10.
[0048] The second seal portion 60H of the comparative configuration, fitted into the groove portion 54, elastically deforms to compress during assembly due to the fitting force from the housing 20 toward the groove bottom 54a. At this time, the second seal portion 60H fitted to the first seal portion 50 generates a reaction force corresponding to the fitting force. The reaction force generated in the second seal portion 60H is an elastic force due to the elastomer. The reaction force (elastic force) from the second seal portion 60H is transmitted to the first seal portion 50 in the radial direction toward the central axis CA, the same direction as the fitting force. When the radial reaction force (elastic force) toward the central axis CA is transmitted to the first seal portion 50, the axial force applied from the first seal portion 50 to the rotor 30 increases. When the force applied from the first seal portion 50 to the rotor 30 increases, the frictional force between the first seal portion 50 and the rotor 30 increases. In this case, the sliding performance of the first seal portion 50 relative to the rotor 30 deteriorates. Furthermore, in this case, the ease of assembly of the sealed structure 10H deteriorates. Furthermore, if the reaction force generated in the second seal portion 60H in response to the fitting force from the housing 20 is large, the frictional force between the second seal portion 60H and the housing 20 increases, which worsens the ease of assembly of the sealing structure 10H.
[0049] On the other hand, the sealing device 40 has a bendable portion 62 that can be bent in a direction intersecting the radial direction of the first sealing portion 50 during assembly. That is, the sealing device 40 has a second sealing portion 60 that can be bent in a direction intersecting the radial direction of the first sealing portion 50 during assembly. In the second sealing portion 60 attached to the first sealing portion 50, a portion of the fitting force applied from the housing 20 during assembly is used for bending the bendable portion 62. Therefore, the reaction force (elastic force) generated in the second sealing portion 60H in response to the fitting force from the housing 20 during assembly of the sealing structure 10 is smaller than that of the comparative sealing structure 10H (see Figure 8). Thus, by having the second sealing portion 60, the sealing device 40 can reduce the radial component of the reaction force (elastic force) transmitted from the second sealing portion 60 to the first sealing portion 50 during assembly.
[0050] In the sealing structure 10 having the sealing device 40, the radial component of the reaction force (elastic force) transmitted from the second seal portion 60 to the first seal portion 50 is reduced, so the frictional force between the first seal portion 50 and the rotor 30 is smaller than in the sealing structure 10H. Therefore, the sealing structure 10 can improve the ease of assembly. Furthermore, the sealing structure 10 can improve the sliding performance of the rotor 30 by reducing the frictional force between the first seal portion 50 and the rotor 30. In other words, when the sealing structure 10 is assembled by assembling the sealing device 40 to the rotor 30 and then assembling the housing 20, the deterioration of the sliding performance of the rotor 30 associated with assembly can be suppressed. Furthermore, in the sealing structure 10 having the sealing device 40, the reaction force (elastic force) generated in the second seal portion 60H in response to the fitting force from the housing 20 becomes smaller, so the frictional force between the second seal portion 60H and the housing 20 becomes smaller than that of the sealing structure 10H. Therefore, the sealing structure 10 can further improve the ease of assembly of the sealing structure 10. In other words, in the case where the sealing structure 10 is assembled by assembling the sealing device 40 to the rotor 30 and then assembling the housing 20, the ease of assembly of the housing 20 can be improved.
[0051] The bent portion 62 includes an open end 64 that contacts the housing 20 during assembly. Therefore, the bent portion 62 can be bent by the moment applied during assembly due to the relative movement of the housing 20 from the outside to the inside in the axial direction. Thus, the sealing device 40 can bend the second sealing portion 60 more easily by applying an additional fitting force from the housing 20 during assembly.
[0052] The second seal portion 60 of the sealing device 40 has an opening 60a. In this case, the section modulus of the second seal portion 60 becomes small, making the second seal portion 60 more prone to bending. Therefore, the second seal portion 60 of the sealing device 40 is easily bent during assembly.
[0053] The bent portion 62 of the sealing device 40 is bendable to close the opening 60a during assembly. As a comparative example to the bent portion 62 that bends to close the opening 60a during assembly, consider the sealing device A40 shown in Figure 17. As shown in Figure 17(a), the sealing device A40 has a second seal portion A60 instead of the second seal portion 60 of the sealing device 40. The second seal portion A60 has a V-shaped cross-section that opens in the axial direction of the first seal portion 50. The second seal portion A60 has an opening A60a and an open end A64. When assembling the sealing device A40, when the housing 20 is moved from the opening A60a side relative to the second seal portion A60 and assembled, the open end A64 on the housing 20 side comes into contact with the housing 20. At this time, the open end A64 on the housing 20 side deforms along the direction of movement of the housing 20, as shown in Figure 17(b). At this time, the second seal portion A60 deforms to widen the opening A60a. If the second seal portion A60 deforms to widen the opening A60a during assembly of the housing 20, there is a risk that the second seal portion A60 may turn inside out towards the opening A60a. If the second seal portion A60 turns inside out towards the opening A60a, there is a risk that the sealing performance of the second seal portion A60 will be impaired. On the other hand, as shown in Figure 6, the second sealing portion 60 bends during assembly so that the bent portion 62 closes the opening 60a, making it less likely to turn inside out towards the opening 60a. Therefore, the sealing device 40 can suppress the turning inside out of the second sealing portion 60 during assembly.
[0054] The second sealing portion 60 of the sealing device 40 has a V-shaped cross-section. In this case, the second sealing portion 60 is prone to bending at the portion extending from the open end 64 to the folded end 66. Therefore, the sealing device 40 makes it easy to identify the bending portion during assembly.
[0055] The opening 60a of the second seal portion 60 opens toward the housing 20. That is, in the second seal portion 60, two open ends 64 contact the housing 20. If the opening of the second seal portion, which has a V-shaped cross-section, opens toward the rotor 30, the second seal portion would contact the housing 20 at one folded end. The sealing performance between the second seal portion and the housing 20 improves as the number of contact points between the second seal portion and the housing 20 increases. Therefore, the sealing device 40 can improve the sealing performance between the second seal portion 60 and the housing 20 compared to the case where the opening opens toward the rotor 30.
[0056] The second sealing portion 60 of the sealing device 40 has open ends 64 that are aligned axially with each other. If the radial positions of the two open ends are misaligned, the frictional force between one open end and the housing 20 will be greater than the frictional force between the other open end and the housing 20, depending on the magnitude of the misalignment, resulting in poor assembly of the sealing device. On the other hand, when the two open ends 64 are aligned axially, the radial misalignment of the two open ends is small. Therefore, the difference in frictional force between each open end 64 and the housing 20 that occurs during assembly of the sealing device 40 is small. Thus, the sealing device 40 can be assembled with improved ease compared to the case where the radial positions of the two open ends 64 are misaligned.
[0057] A gap S1 is formed between the groove 54 and the bent portion 62 of the sealing device 40. Therefore, when the bent portion 62 is bent in cross-sectional view, it can bend toward the gap S1. Thus, the sealing device 40 can be bent toward the gap S1 when assembled.
[0058] The second sealing portion 60 is adjacent to the bent portion 62 in cross-sectional view and has a space 60b located closer to the center of the cross-section than the bent portion 62. Therefore, when the bent portion 62 bends in cross-sectional view, it can bend toward the space 60b. Thus, the sealing device 40 can be assembled to allow the second sealing portion 60 to bend toward the space 60b.
[0059] Furthermore, the sealing structure 10 may be assembled by first assembling the sealing device 40 to the housing 20, and then assembling the rotor 30 to the inner circumferential surface 51a of the sealing device 40. In this case, since the radial component of the reaction force (elastic force) transmitted from the second seal portion 60 to the first seal portion 50 is small, the increase in axial force due to the first seal portion 50 accompanying the assembly of the housing 20 is smaller than that of the comparative sealing structure 10H. That is, in this case, the frictional force between the first seal portion 50 and the rotor 30 that is generated when assembling with the rotor 30 is smaller than that of the comparative sealing structure 10H. Therefore, when the sealing structure 10 is assembled by first assembling the sealing device 40 to the housing 20, and then assembling the rotor 30 to the inner circumferential surface 51a of the sealing device 40, the ease of assembling the rotor 30 can be improved.
[0060] (2) Second embodiment Next, the sealing structure 210 according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. In this description, when using parts similar to those used in the above-described embodiment, the same reference numerals and names of those parts will be used. In the following description, redundant explanations of the same configuration as in the above-described embodiment will be omitted.
[0061] The sealing structure 210 has a sealing device 240 instead of the sealing device 40 in the first embodiment, as shown in Figure 9. The sealing device 240 has a second sealing portion 260 instead of the second sealing portion 60 in the first embodiment.
[0062] <Second sealing portion 260> The second seal portion 260 has a V-shaped cross-section, as shown in Figure 9. The V-shaped cross-section of the second seal portion 260 has thickness. The cross-section of the second seal portion 260 opens toward the rotor 30 side. That is, the second seal portion 260 has an opening 260a. The opening 260a opens toward the rotor 30 side. In cross-sectional view, the second seal portion 260 has two open ends 264 and a folded end 266. The second seal portion 260 also has a bent portion 262.
[0063] The second sealing portion 260 is mounted on the first sealing portion 50 such that its two open ends 264 contact the bottom 54a of the groove 54. At this time, a gap S2 is formed between the second sealing portion 260 and the groove wall 54b. In other words, a gap S2 is formed between the bent portion 262 and the groove 54.
[0064] The second sealing portion 260, fitted into the groove 54, brings its folded end 266 into contact with the housing 20. The folded end 266 is an example of an outer end. The bent portion 262 is composed of the folded end 266. The second sealing portion 260 has a space 260b sandwiched between the two open ends 264. The space 260b is adjacent to the bent portion 262 in cross-sectional view. The space 260b is located closer to the center of the cross-section than the bent portion 262 in cross-sectional view.
[0065] <Method for assembling the sealed structure 210> Next, an example of how to assemble the sealing structure 210 will be described.
[0066] First, the first seal portion 50 is assembled to the rotor 30. Then, the second seal portion 260 is fitted into the groove portion 54 of the first seal portion 50 assembled to the rotor 30. In other words, the sealing device 240 is assembled to the rotor 30. Subsequently, the housing 20 is assembled to the sealing device 240 by moving the housing 20 relative to the sealing device 240 from the outside in the axial direction toward the sealing device 240 (see Figure 10).
[0067] As shown in Figure 10(a), the folded end 266 first contacts the edge of the housing 20. At this time, a moment is applied to the bent portion 262, including the folded end 266, in the direction of movement of the housing 20, in a cross-sectional view. At this time, a fitting force is applied to the second seal portion 260 fitted in the groove portion 54, from the housing 20 toward the groove bottom 54a. At this time, the first bent portion 262, which is on the housing 20 side relative to the second seal portion 260 in the axial direction, is in a bent state.
[0068] Subsequently, as shown in Figures 10(b) and 10(c), further relative movement of the housing 20 with respect to the sealing device 240 further increases the fitting force applied to the second sealing portion 260. At this time, the bending portion 262 on the opposite side of the opening 260a from the first bending portion 262 becomes bent. Aside from the points mentioned above, the sealing structure 210 has the same configuration as the sealing structure 10.
[0069] Next, the operation and effects of the second embodiment will be described. The opening 260a of the second seal portion 260 opens toward the rotor 30. That is, in the second seal portion 260, one folded end 266 contacts the housing 20. Therefore, the frictional force generated between the second seal portion 260 and the housing 20 during assembly is smaller compared to the case where the opening opens toward the housing 20. Thus, the sealing device 240 can be assembled more easily compared to the case where the opening opens toward the housing 20.
[0070] (3) Third Embodiment Next, the sealing structure 310 according to the third embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. In this description, when using parts similar to those used in the above-described embodiment, the same reference numerals and names of those parts will be used. In the following description, redundant explanations of the same configuration as in the above-described embodiment will be omitted.
[0071] The sealing structure 310 has a sealing device 340 instead of the sealing device 40 in the first embodiment, as shown in Figure 11. The sealing device 340 has a second sealing portion 360 instead of the second sealing portion 60 in the first embodiment.
[0072] <Second sealing portion 360> The second seal portion 360 has a hollow, annular cross-section, as shown in Figure 11. The annular cross-section of the second seal portion 360 has thickness. The second seal portion 360 has an outer edge. The second seal portion 360 also has a bent portion 362. The second seal portion 360 does not have an opening in cross-sectional view. The second seal portion 360 has a space 360b inside the annular cross-section. The space 360b is adjacent to the bent portion 362 in cross-sectional view. The space 360b is located closer to the center of the cross-section than the bent portion 362 in cross-sectional view. Aside from the points mentioned above, the sealing structure 310 has the same configuration as the sealing structure 10.
[0073] The sealing structure 310 and the sealing device 340 have the same effects as the sealing structure 10 and the sealing device 40, except for the effects caused by the opening.
[0074] (4) Fourth Embodiment Next, the sealing structure 410 according to the fourth embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. In this description, when using parts similar to those used in the above-described embodiments, the same reference numerals and names of those parts will be used. In the following description, redundant explanations of the same configuration as in the above-described embodiments will be omitted.
[0075] The sealing structure 410 has a sealing device 440 instead of the sealing device 40 in the first embodiment, as shown in Figure 12. The sealing device 440 has a second sealing portion 460 instead of the second sealing portion 60 in the first embodiment.
[0076] <Second sealing portion 460> The second seal portion 460 has a C-shaped cross-section, as shown in Figure 12. The C-shaped cross-section of the second seal portion 460 has thickness. The second seal portion 460 has an opening 460a. In cross-sectional view, the opening 460a opens toward the groove wall 54b. In cross-sectional view, the second seal portion 460 has two open ends 464. The second seal portion 460 also has a bent portion 462. The second seal portion 460 has an outer edge. The second seal portion 460 has a space 460b inside the C-shaped cross-section. In cross-sectional view, the space 460b is adjacent to the bent portion 462. In cross-sectional view, the space 460b is located closer to the center of the cross-section than the bent portion 462. Apart from the points mentioned above, the sealing structure 410 has the same configuration as the sealing structure 10.
[0077] The sealing structure 410 and sealing device 440 have the same effects as the sealing structure 210 and sealing device 240.
[0078] (5) Fifth embodiment Next, the sealing structure 510 according to the fifth embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. In this description, when using parts similar to those used in the above-described embodiments, the same reference numerals and names of those parts will be used. In the following description, redundant explanations of the same configuration as in the above-described embodiments will be omitted.
[0079] The sealing structure 510 has a sealing device 540 instead of the sealing device 40 in the first embodiment, as shown in Figure 13. The sealing device 540 has a second sealing portion 560 instead of the second sealing portion 60 in the first embodiment.
[0080] <Second sealing portion 560> The second seal portion 560 has a substantially solid circular cross-section, as shown in Figure 13. The second seal portion 560 has an opening 560a that is concave relative to the outer circumference of the second seal portion 560 in cross-sectional view. The opening 560a is formed in the shape of a slit extending from the outer circumference of the cross-section of the second seal portion 560 toward the center of the cross-section. In cross-sectional view, the opening 560a opens toward the groove wall 54b. The second seal portion 560 has two open ends 564 in cross-sectional view. The second seal portion 560 also has a bent portion 562. The bent portion 562 includes the point where the distance between the back of the opening 560a and the outer circumference of the second seal portion 560 is shortest in cross-sectional view. The second seal portion 560 has an outer edge. Aside from the points mentioned above, the sealing structure 510 has the same configuration as the sealing structure 10.
[0081] The sealing structure 510 and sealing device 540 have the same effects as the sealing structure 210 and sealing device 240.
[0082] (6) Sixth Embodiment Next, a sealing structure 610 according to the sixth embodiment of this disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. In this description, when using parts similar to those used in the embodiments described above, the same reference numerals and names of those parts will be used. In the following description, redundant explanations of the same configuration as in the embodiments described above will be omitted.
[0083] The sealing structure 610 has a sealing device 640 instead of the sealing device 40 in the first embodiment, as shown in Figure 14. The sealing device 640 has a first sealing portion 650 and a second sealing portion 660.
[0084] <First sealing portion 650> The first seal portion 650 has a groove 654 instead of the groove 54 in the first embodiment. The groove 654 is formed in a V-shape in cross-section, as shown in Figure 14. The groove 654 has a rear end 654a and a pair of inclined surfaces 654b. The rear end 654a is the end on the side that is bent in a V-shape in cross-section. The pair of inclined surfaces 654b open toward the housing 20. Each inclined surface 654b is inclined linearly in a direction intersecting the radial direction in cross-section. The pair of inclined surfaces 654b have radial symmetry with the first seal portion 650.
[0085] <Second sealing portion 660> The second seal portion 660 has a substantially solid circular cross-section, as shown in Figure 14. That is, the second seal portion 660 does not have an opening, a bend, or an open end. Furthermore, the second seal portion 660 does not have a structure that allows it to be bent during assembly. The second seal portion 660 is mounted on the first seal portion 650 while in contact with a pair of inclined surfaces 654b of the groove portion 654. When the second seal portion 660 is attached to the first seal portion 650 and not assembled to the housing 20, it forms a gap S6 between itself and the inner end portion 654a. Apart from the points mentioned above, the sealing structure 610 has the same configuration as the sealing structure 10.
[0086] The second seal portion 660, mounted on the first seal portion 650, generates a reaction force (elastic force) corresponding to the fitting force applied from the housing 20 during assembly. At this time, the second seal portion 660 is in contact with a pair of inclined surfaces 654b. Therefore, the reaction force (elastic force) generated in the second seal portion 660 acts on the first seal portion 650 via the groove portion 654 in a direction opposite to the normal direction of each of the pair of inclined surfaces 654b. As a result, the radial component of the reaction force (elastic force) transmitted from the second seal portion 660 to the first seal portion 650 during assembly of the sealing structure 610 is smaller than that of the comparative sealing structure 10H. Thus, by having the groove portion 654, the sealing device 640 can reduce the radial component of the reaction force (elastic force) transmitted from the second seal portion 660 to the first seal portion 650 during assembly.
[0087] Furthermore, the sealing structure 610 equipped with the sealing device 640 can achieve the same effects as the sealing structure 10.
[0088] When not assembled, a gap S6 is formed between the inner end portion 654a and the second seal portion 660. At this time, the second seal portion 660 deforms toward the gap S6 as it is pressed from the housing 20 during assembly, exhibiting elastomer-specific behavior to reduce the area of the gap S6 compared to when it is not pressed from the housing 20. In other words, the second seal portion 660 is deformable toward the gap S6 during assembly. Thus, in the second seal portion 60 attached to the first seal portion 650, a portion of the fitting force applied from the housing 20 during assembly is used for the deformation of the second seal portion 60 toward the gap S6. Therefore, by having a gap S6, the sealing device 640 can reduce the reaction force (elastic force) generated in the second seal portion 60 as it is pressed from the housing 20 during assembly.
[0089] The pair of inclined surfaces 654b have radial symmetry with the first seal portion 650. In this case, the forces generated between the pair of inclined surfaces 654b and the second seal portion 660 during assembly cancel each other out in the axial direction. Therefore, the second seal portion 660 is less likely to shift axially from the groove portion 654 during assembly. Thus, the sealing device 640 can be assembled with improved ease of assembly.
[0090] (6) Seventh Embodiment Next, a sealing structure 710 according to the seventh embodiment of this disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. In this description, when using parts similar to those used in the embodiments described above, the same reference numerals and names of those parts will be used. In the following description, redundant explanations of the same configuration as in the embodiments described above will be omitted.
[0091] The sealing structure 710 has a sealing device 740 instead of the sealing device 40 in the first embodiment, as shown in Figure 15. The sealing device 740 has a first sealing portion 750 instead of the first sealing portion 50 in the first embodiment. The sealing device 740 also has a second sealing portion 60 in the first embodiment. That is, the second sealing portion 60 of the sealing device 740 has a bendable portion 62 that can be bent during assembly. Furthermore, the second sealing portion 60 of the sealing device 740 has a folded end 66. The sealing device 740 may have any of the second sealing portions 260, 360, 460, or 560 instead of the second sealing portion 60.
[0092] <First sealing portion 750> The first seal portion 750 has a groove 754 instead of the groove 54 in the first embodiment. The groove 754 is similar to the groove 654 in the sixth embodiment. That is, the groove 754 is formed in a V-shape in cross-section, as shown in Figure 15. The groove 754 has an inner end 754a and a pair of inclined surfaces 754b. The pair of inclined surfaces 754b open toward the housing 20. Each inclined surface 754b is inclined linearly in a direction intersecting the radial direction in cross-section. The pair of inclined surfaces 754b have radial symmetry with the first seal portion 750. The second sealing portion 60 is attached to the first sealing portion 750 while in contact with a pair of inclined surfaces 754b of the groove portion 754.
[0093] The second sealing portion 60 is attached to the first sealing portion 750 such that the folded end 66 contacts the pair of inclined surfaces 754b. At this time, a gap S7 is formed between the bent portion 62 and the pair of inclined surfaces 754b.
[0094] When the second seal portion 60 is attached to the first seal portion 750 and not assembled to the housing 20, it forms a gap S7a between itself and the inner end portion 754a. That is, when not assembled, a gap S7a is formed between the inner end portion 754a and the second seal portion 760. Apart from the points mentioned above, the sealing structure 610 has the same configuration as the sealing structure 10.
[0095] The second sealing portion 60 of the sealing device 740 has a bendable portion 62 that can be bent during assembly. Therefore, the sealing device 740 can reduce the amount of deformation of the first sealing portion 750 during assembly.
[0096] A gap S7 is formed between the groove 754 and the bent portion 62 of the sealing device 740. Therefore, the bent portion 62 can be bent toward the gap S7. Thus, when the second seal portion 60 of the sealing device 740 is mounted in the groove 754 having a pair of inclined surfaces 754b, the second seal portion 60 can be bent toward the gap S7 during assembly.
[0097] As described above, embodiments of this disclosure have been explained, but this disclosure is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications, changes, and improvements are possible within the scope of the technical idea of this disclosure.
[0098] For example, the opening of the second seal portion is configured to open in a direction along the radial or axial direction of the first seal portion, as shown in Figures 5, 6, 9, 10, 12, 13, and 15. However, the opening of the second seal portion according to this disclosure may be configured to open in a direction inclined with respect to the radial and / or axial direction of the first seal portion.
[0099] In the sixth and seventh embodiments, the grooves 654 and 754 are formed in a V-shape in cross-section. However, the groove having a pair of inclined surfaces according to this disclosure may further have a groove bottom sandwiched between the pair of inclined surfaces, which is parallel to the outer circumferential surface of the first seal portion.
[0100] In the first embodiment, the first seal portion 50 extends from the cylindrical outer surface 51b to the groove wall 54b. However, the first seal portion 50 may have projections 57 around the groove portion 54, as shown in Figure 16. The projections 57 are formed in a rib shape along the groove portion 54. That is, the first seal portion according to the present disclosure may have rib-shaped projections around the groove portion.
[0101] In the first embodiment, the second sealing portion 60 is bent to close the opening 60a. However, the second sealing portion of the sealing device according to the present disclosure may be bent to open the opening. Specifically, the sealing device according to the present disclosure may be, for example, the sealing device A40 described above (see Figure 17). The second sealing portion according to this disclosure may be a second sealing portion 860 having a spiral cross-sectional shape, as shown in Figure 18. The second sealing portion 860 has a buckling portion 862, a space 860a, and an opening 860b. The second seal portion 60 of the first embodiment may be configured such that the open end 64 is bent toward the space 60b, as shown in Figure 19(b). Specifically, the second seal portion 60 may have a notch 69 in a cross-sectional view, as shown in Figure 19(a), in a portion of the space 60b side of the portion extending from the folded end 66 to the open end 64. The second seal portion 60 may have a fold instead of a notch 69. The notch 69 or fold preferably extends along the direction in which the cross-section of the second seal portion 60 extends. The notch 69 or fold may extend linearly so as to intersect the direction in which the cross-section of the second seal portion 60 extends. [Explanation of Symbols]
[0102] CA: Central axis 10: Sealed structure 20: Housing 20b: Inner peripheral surface 30: Rotor 40: Sealing device 50: First sealing section 51: Main body 51p: Port section 51b: Outer surface 51a: Inner surface 54: Groove 54a: Groove bottom 60: Second sealing section 60a: Opening 62: Bending section 64: Open end S1: Gap 210: Sealed structure 240: Sealing device 260: Second sealing section 260a: opening 262: Bending section 264: Open end S2: Gap 310: Sealed structure 340: Sealing device 360: Second sealing section 362: Bending section 410: Sealed structure 440: Sealing device 460: Second sealing section 460a: opening 462: Bending section 464: Open end 510: Sealed structure 540: Sealing device 560: Second sealing part 560a: opening 562: Bending section 564: Open end 610: Sealed structure 640: Sealing device 650: First sealing section 654: Groove 654a: Mizooku 654b: Inclined surface 660: Second sealing section S6: Gap 710: Sealed structure 740: Sealing device 760: Second seal section 760a: opening 762: Bending section 764: Open end S7: Gap S7a: Gap
Claims
1. A sealing device assembled between a cylindrical housing and a rotor that is coaxially arranged inside the housing and rotates around an axis, A first seal portion having a main body portion along the outer diameter portion of the rotor, The aforementioned main body portion includes a port portion that penetrates radially, A groove formed on the outer circumferential surface of the main body, having a groove bottom parallel to the outer circumferential surface, and formed so as to surround the port portion when viewed from the outer circumferential surface side in the radial direction, A first sealing portion having, A second sealing portion is mounted in the groove so as to contact the bottom of the groove and seals the space between the housing and the first sealing portion, and the second sealing portion has a bendable portion that can be bent during assembly, It has, The groove portion is A pair of annular grooves that encircle the outer surface in the circumferential direction, the pair of annular grooves that sandwich the port portion in the axial direction, A plurality of side ditches spanning between the pair of annular grooves, wherein the plurality of side ditches sandwich the port portion in the circumferential direction, It further possesses, The second sealing portion is arranged in correspondence with the pair of annular grooves and the plurality of side grooves, The first sealing portion is spaced apart from the housing, The second sealing portion is formed solely of elastomer. Sealing device.
2. The sealing device according to claim 1, wherein the second sealing portion is adjacent to the bent portion in cross-sectional view and further has a space provided on the cross-sectional side of the bent portion.
3. The sealing device according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the bent portion is bendable in conjunction with relative movement from the outside to the inside of the housing in the axial direction during assembly.
4. The sealing device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the second sealing portion is aligned with the direction in which the second sealing portion extends and has an opening formed in a concave shape relative to the second sealing portion.
5. The sealing device according to claim 4, wherein the bent portion is bendable to close the opening when assembled.
6. The sealing device according to claim 4, wherein the second sealing portion has a V-shaped cross-section.
7. The sealing device according to claim 4, wherein the opening is open toward the housing side.
8. The second sealing portion has two open ends that sandwich the opening, The sealing device according to claim 7, wherein the two open ends are aligned with each other along the axial direction.
9. The sealing device according to claim 6, wherein the opening is open toward the rotor side.
10. A gap is formed between the groove and the bent portion of the sealing device according to claim 1 or 2.
11. A sealing device assembled between a cylindrical housing and a rotor that is coaxially arranged inside the housing and rotates around an axis, A first seal portion having a main body portion along the outer diameter portion of the rotor, The aforementioned main body portion includes a port portion that penetrates radially, A groove formed on the outer circumferential surface of the main body, having a groove bottom parallel to the outer circumferential surface, and formed so as to surround the port portion when viewed from the outer circumferential surface side in the radial direction, A first sealing portion having, A second sealing portion is mounted in the groove so as to contact the bottom of the groove and seals the space between the housing and the first sealing portion, and the second sealing portion has a bendable portion that can be bent in a direction intersecting the radial direction during assembly, It has, The groove portion is A pair of annular grooves that encircle the outer surface in the circumferential direction, the pair of annular grooves that sandwich the port portion in the axial direction, A plurality of side ditches spanning between the pair of annular grooves, wherein the plurality of side ditches sandwich the port portion in the circumferential direction, It further possesses, The second sealing portion is arranged in correspondence with the pair of annular grooves and the plurality of side grooves, The first sealing portion is spaced apart from the housing, The second sealing portion is formed solely of elastomer. Sealing device.
12. A sealing device assembled between a cylindrical housing and a rotor that is coaxially arranged inside the housing and rotates around an axis, A first seal portion having a main body portion along the outer diameter portion of the rotor, The aforementioned main body portion includes a port portion that penetrates radially, A groove formed on the outer circumferential surface of the main body, having a groove bottom parallel to the outer circumferential surface, and formed so as to surround the port portion when viewed from the outer circumferential surface side in the radial direction, A first sealing portion having, A second sealing portion is mounted in the groove so as to contact the bottom of the groove and seals the space between the housing and the first sealing portion, and the second sealing portion is bendable during assembly, It has, The groove portion is A pair of annular grooves that encircle the outer surface in the circumferential direction, the pair of annular grooves that sandwich the port portion in the axial direction, A plurality of side ditches spanning between the pair of annular grooves, wherein the plurality of side ditches sandwich the port portion in the circumferential direction, It further possesses, The second sealing portion is arranged in correspondence with the pair of annular grooves and the plurality of side grooves, The first sealing portion is spaced apart from the housing, The second sealing portion is formed solely of elastomer. Sealing device.
13. A sealing device assembled between a cylindrical housing and a rotor that is coaxially arranged inside the housing and rotates around an axis, A first seal portion having a main body portion along the outer diameter portion of the rotor, The aforementioned main body portion includes a port portion that penetrates radially, A groove formed on the outer circumferential surface of the main body, having a groove bottom parallel to the outer circumferential surface, and formed so as to surround the port portion when viewed from the outer circumferential surface side in the radial direction, A first sealing portion having, A second sealing portion is mounted in the groove so as to contact the bottom of the groove and seals the space between the housing and the first sealing portion, and the second sealing portion is bendable in a direction intersecting the radial direction during assembly, It has, The groove portion is A pair of annular grooves that encircle the outer surface in the circumferential direction, the pair of annular grooves that sandwich the port portion in the axial direction, A plurality of side ditches spanning between the pair of annular grooves, wherein the plurality of side ditches sandwich the port portion in the circumferential direction, It further possesses, The second sealing portion is arranged in correspondence with the pair of annular grooves and the plurality of side grooves, The first sealing portion is spaced apart from the housing, The second sealing portion is formed solely of elastomer. Sealing device.
14. A cylindrical housing and A rotor is coaxially arranged inside the housing and rotates around its axis, A sealing device according to any one of claims 1, 2, 11 to 13, A sealed structure having
15. A cylindrical housing and A rotor is coaxially arranged inside the housing and rotates around its axis, A sealing device assembled between the housing and the rotor, A first seal portion having a main body portion along the outer diameter portion of the rotor, The aforementioned main body portion includes a port portion that penetrates radially, A groove formed on the outer circumferential surface of the main body, having a groove bottom parallel to the outer circumferential surface, and formed so as to surround the port portion when viewed from the outer circumferential surface side in the radial direction, A first sealing portion having, A second sealing portion is mounted in the groove so as to contact the bottom of the groove, and seals the space between the housing and the first sealing portion in a bent state, A sealing device having, It has, The groove portion is A pair of annular grooves that encircle the outer surface in the circumferential direction, the pair of annular grooves that sandwich the port portion in the axial direction, A plurality of side ditches spanning between the pair of annular grooves, wherein the plurality of side ditches sandwich the port portion in the circumferential direction, It further possesses, The second sealing portion is arranged in correspondence with the pair of annular grooves and the plurality of side grooves, The first sealing portion is spaced apart from the housing, The second sealing portion is formed solely of elastomer. Sealed structure.
16. A cylindrical housing and A rotor is coaxially arranged inside the housing and rotates around its axis, A sealing device assembled between the housing and the rotor, A first seal portion having a main body portion along the outer diameter portion of the rotor, The aforementioned main body portion includes a port portion that penetrates radially, A groove formed on the outer circumferential surface of the main body, having a groove bottom parallel to the outer circumferential surface, and formed so as to surround the port portion when viewed from the outer circumferential surface side in the radial direction, A first sealing portion having, A second sealing portion is mounted in the groove so as to contact the bottom of the groove, and seals the space between the housing and the first sealing portion in a bent state intersecting the radial direction, A sealing device having, It has, The groove portion is A pair of annular grooves that encircle the outer surface in the circumferential direction, the pair of annular grooves that sandwich the port portion in the axial direction, A plurality of side ditches spanning between the pair of annular grooves, wherein the plurality of side ditches sandwich the port portion in the circumferential direction, It further possesses, The second sealing portion is arranged in correspondence with the pair of annular grooves and the plurality of side grooves, The first sealing portion is spaced apart from the housing, The second sealing portion is formed solely of elastomer. Sealed structure.
17. The sealing device according to any one of claims 1, 2, 11 to 13 is assembled into a cylindrical housing, The rotor is assembled to the inner surface of the sealing device attached to the housing, on the side opposite to the outer surface. Method for assembling a sealed structure.
18. The sealing device according to any one of claims 1, 2, 11 to 13 is assembled to the rotor, A cylindrical housing is attached to the sealing device assembled to the rotor. Method for assembling a sealed structure.
19. The second sealing portion is hollow, having a space inside its cross-section. The sealing device according to claim 1 or 2.
20. The cross-section of the second sealing portion is substantially a solid circle, In cross-sectional view, the opening is slit-shaped, extending from the outer circumference of the second sealing portion toward the center of the cross-section. The sealing device according to claim 4.
21. The bent portion has a cut or fold that extends along the direction in which the second sealing portion extends. The sealing device according to claim 1 or 2.
Citation Information
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