Semi-metallic gasket, motor, and motor sealing method

Abstract

Provided are a motor (22) comprising a first member (24, 26, 28) and a second member (24, 26, 28) each having an annular shaped cross-section, a semi-metallic gasket (10) for sealing between the first member (24, 26, 28) and the second member (24, 26, 28), and a method for sealing the motor (22) using the semi-metallic gasket (10). The semi-metallic gasket (10) comprises an annular shaped bead portion (12) and portions (14) to be sucked by a suction hand. The portions (14) to be sucked project from the bead portion (12) along the wall width direction of the bead portion (12).

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 Art

[0002] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2013-207815 discloses a semi-metallic gasket for sealing between two case members provided in a motor. This semi-metallic gasket has a metal base material and a resin material (rubber material). The metal base material is a thin plate of a metal material. The resin material coats the metal base material.

Summary of the Invention

[0003] The thickness of the semi-metallic gasket is preferably as small (thin) as possible in order to increase the surface pressure received by the semi-metallic gasket. However, a semi-metallic gasket with a small thickness is difficult to be adsorbed by the adsorption hand of a robot.

[0004] An object of the present invention is to solve the above-described problems.

[0005] A first aspect of the present invention is a semi-metallic gasket provided in a motor including a first member and a second member each having an annular cross-section, for sealing between the first member and the second member, the semi-metallic gasket including an annular bead portion made of a semi-metal and an adsorbed portion adsorbed by an adsorption hand of a robot, the adsorbed portion protruding from the bead portion along the thickness direction of the bead portion.

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

[0007] A third aspect of the present invention is a sealing method for sealing the space between a first member and a second member of a motor using a semimetallic gasket as described in the first aspect, comprising: an adsorption step of adsorbing the adsorbed portion of the semimetallic gasket with the adsorption hand; a placement step of placing the semimetallic gasket adsorbed by the adsorption hand onto the first member of the motor; and a contact step of bringing the second member of the motor into close contact with the semimetallic gasket from the side opposite to the first member.

[0008] According to an aspect of the present invention, a semi-metallic gasket that is easily adsorbed by an adsorption hand is provided. Also provided are a motor equipped with the semi-metallic gasket and a method for sealing the motor. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1] This is a front view of a semi-metallic gasket according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] Figure 2A is an end view of the line IIA-IIA in Figure 1. Figure 2B is an end view of the line IIB-IIB in Figure 1. [Figure 3] This is a side view of the motor according to the embodiment. [Figure 4] Figure 3 is an exploded perspective view of the motor. [Figure 5] This is a flowchart illustrating the flow of a motor sealing method according to the embodiment. [Figure 6] This is a front view of a semi-metallic gasket according to Modification 1. [Figure 7] This is a front view of another semi-metallic gasket relating to Modification Example 1. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0010] [Embodiment] Figure 1 is a front view of the semi-metallic gasket 10 according to the embodiment. Figure 1 shows the "first direction D1" and "second direction D2" respectively, which will be used in the following explanation.

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

[0012] The semi-metallic gasket 10 illustrated in Figure 1 comprises a bead portion 12, a plurality of adsorption portions 14, and a plurality of insertion portions 16.

[0013] The bead portion 12 has an annular shape corresponding to the end face shape (annular shape) of the first member and the end face shape (annular shape) of the second member. For example, each of the core block 24 and the front housing 26 illustrated in Figure 3 has a substantially polygonal annular shape (substantially octagonal annular shape). In this case, as shown in Figure 1, the bead portion 12 also has a substantially polygonal annular shape (substantially octagonal annular shape). Note that if each of the core block 24 and the front housing 26 has, for example, an annular shape, the bead portion 12 may also have an annular 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 across the entire bead portion 12. Therefore, it is preferable that the entire bead portion 12 on the first direction D1 side is in contact with the end face of the first member. Similarly, it is preferable that the entire bead portion 12 on the second direction D2 side is in contact with the end face of the second member. This ensures that surface pressure is applied to both 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-symmetric with respect to the center point P of the ring shape. This makes it easier to ensure that the surface pressure applied to the bead portion 12 is uniform.

[0015] Figure 2A is an end view of the line IIA-IIA in Figure 1.

[0016] As shown in Figure 2A, the bead portion 12 has a metal substrate 18 and a resin material 20. The resin material 20 coats the metal substrate 18. The resin material 20 is also elastic. The elastic resin material 20 is, for example, rubber.

[0017] To improve airtightness between the first and second members, it is preferable that the surface pressure the bead portion 12 receives from each of the first and second members be as large as possible. 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. Also, the protruding portion 12a has an annular shape when viewed from the front (see Figure 1). Such a protruding portion 12a can be easily formed by bending or curving the bead portion 12. When the bead portion 12 is in close contact with the second member, the protruding portion 12a is pressed particularly strongly against the second member. Therefore, the surface pressure received by the bead portion 12 can be made particularly large at the protruding portion 12a.

[0018] Also, the width W of the bead portion 12 12 By making it thinner (smaller), the contact area of ​​the bead portion 12 with the first member can be reduced. Similarly, the thickness W of the bead portion 12 12 By making it thinner (smaller), the contact area of ​​the bead portion 12 with the second member can be reduced. Reducing the contact area of ​​the bead portion 12 increases the surface pressure it receives. Therefore, depending on the dimensions of the first member and the second member, the thickness W of the bead portion 12 can be reduced. 12 It is preferable that it be as thin (small) as possible. The width direction of the semi-metallic gasket 10 has a third direction D3 and a fourth direction D4 as shown in Figure 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 the direction from inside the ring shape of the bead portion 12 to the outside of the ring shape. The fourth direction D4 is the direction opposite to the third direction D3.

[0019] By merely pursuing the magnitude of the surface pressure applied to the bead portion 12 as described above, it becomes difficult to automate the motor assembly operation. That is, in the process of automatically assembling the motor, the robot adsorbs the semi-metallic gasket 10 with the suction hand. The suction hand of the robot can easily adsorb an object having a flat shape, but it is difficult to adsorb an object having a concavo-convex shape. In that regard, the shape of the bead portion 12 having the protruding portion 12a is a concavo-convex shape that is difficult to adsorb with the suction hand of the robot. Also, the bead portion 12 with a narrow wall thickness W 12 makes it difficult to secure the contact area with the suction hand. As a result, it becomes difficult to adsorb the bead portion 12 with the suction hand. When the wall thickness W 12 of the bead portion 12 is 1 centimeter or less, adsorption by the suction hand becomes particularly difficult.

[0020] FIG. 2B is an end view taken along line IIB-IIB of FIG. 1.

[0021] Therefore, the semi-metallic gasket 10 of the present embodiment includes the adsorbed portion 14 as described above. As illustrated in FIG. 2B, each of the plurality of adsorbed portions 14 is formed by widening the bead portion 12 in the wall thickness direction (fourth direction D4). Each of the plurality of adsorbed 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] Even if the wall thickness W 12 of the bead portion 12 is narrow, the suction hand can adsorb each of the plurality of adsorbed portions 14. Moreover, each of the plurality of adsorbed portions 14 has a flat surface 14a (14b). As described above, the suction hand easily adsorbs a flat surface. Therefore, the semi-metallic gasket 10 of the present embodiment is easy to adsorb with the suction hand.

[0023] As shown in Figure 1, it is more preferable that at least two of the multiple adsorbable parts 14 are arranged so as to straddle a virtual straight line L passing through a point on the bead portion 12 and the center point P of the ring shape. Here, the virtual straight line L is a virtual straight line passing through a point on the bead portion 12 and the center point P of the ring shape. This makes it easier to adsorb both sides of the semi-metallic gasket 10 that straddle the virtual straight line L with the adsorption hand. As a result, it becomes easier to lift the semi-metallic gasket 10 in a balanced manner (in a horizontal position) with the adsorption hand. Note that the virtual straight line L is not limited to the example shown in Figure 1, as long as it passes through a point on the bead portion 12 and the center point P of the ring shape.

[0024] It is preferable that the multiple adsorbent portions 14 are arranged point-symmetrically with respect to the central point P of the ring shape of the bead portion 12 (see Figure 1). This makes it easier for surface pressure to be applied uniformly across 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 that connects the first member and the second member (for example, the screw 34 in Figure 4).

[0026] It is more preferable that the multiple insertion parts 16 are arranged point-symmetrically with respect to the central point P of the ring shape of the bead portion 12. That is, when the tightening force of the screw 34 is increased, each of the first member and the second member adheres strongly 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 surface pressure is greater in the portion of the semi-metallic gasket 10 around the hole 16a compared to other portions. Here, if the multiple insertion parts 16 are arranged point-symmetrically with respect to the central point P of the ring shape of the bead portion 12, a large surface pressure can be applied uniformly to the entire semi-metallic gasket 10. Furthermore, from the viewpoint of applying a large surface pressure to the entire semi-metallic gasket 10 in a balanced manner, it is more preferable to arrange three or more insertion parts 16 at as equal intervals as possible. For example, if the bead portion 12 is substantially polygonal ring-shaped as shown in Figure 1, it is preferable that the multiple insertion parts 16 be arranged at the corners 12e of the bead portion 12.

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

[0028] Next, a motor 22 equipped with a semi-metallic gasket 10 will be described. The motor 22 in Figure 3 comprises 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 the stator of the motor 22. The core block 24 is cylindrical. Therefore, when viewed from the first direction D1, the core block 24 has an annular shape. A shaft 30 is arranged inside the cylinder (annular shape) of the core block 24. The shaft 30 is the 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 in the figures, when viewed from the second direction D2, the front housing 26 has an annular shape that matches the annular shape of the core block 24. The shaft 30 passes through the front housing 26. As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the front housing 26 may be equipped with a flange (panel-shaped joint) 26a. This facilitates the connection of 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. Specifically, the core block 24 has a plurality of insertion holes 24a, and the front housing 26 has a plurality of insertion holes 26b. The plurality of screws 34 pass through the plurality of insertion holes 24a and the plurality of insertion holes 26b. This connects the core block 24 and the front housing 26.

[0032] The semi-metallic gasket 10A is positioned between the front housing 26 and the core block 24. The semi-metallic gasket 10A firmly seals the gap between the front housing 26 and the core block 24. The multiple screws 34 are inserted through the multiple holes 16a of the semi-metallic gasket 10A. Therefore, the semi-metallic gasket 10A does not obstruct 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 illustration, the rear housing 28 has a ring shape that matches the core block 24 when viewed from the first direction D1. The rear housing 28 is connected to the second direction D2 side of the core block 24 by multiple screws 34, although this is also not shown in the illustration.

[0034] The semi-metallic gasket 10B is positioned 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 positioned between the rear housing 28 and the core block 24. Therefore, a description of the semi-metallic gasket 10B is 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 is easily attached 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 attached is not particularly limited, as long as it is a location on the motor 22 that needs to be sealed.

[0036] Finally, the sealing method (sealing method for motor 22) will be explained. This sealing method is the method used to obtain the motor 22 illustrated in Figures 3 and 4. For illustrative purposes, the following explanation will describe the case in which a semi-metallic gasket 10A is used to seal the space between the front housing 26 and the core block 24.

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

[0038] The sealing method includes an adsorption step S1, a placement step S2, and an adhesion step S3. As illustrated in Figure 5, the adsorption step S1, the placement step S2, and the adhesion step S3 are performed in this order.

[0039] First, in the suction step S1, the robot's suction hand picks up the semi-metallic gasket 10A. The suction hand can easily pick up the semi-metallic gasket 10A by picking up multiple parts 14 to be picked up.

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

[0041] In the sealing step S3, for example, a press machine pushes the front housing (second member) 26 toward the core block 24 (second direction D2) from the opposite side of the core block 24. This causes the front housing 26 to be in close contact with the semi-metallic gasket 10A. It also causes the semi-metallic gasket 10A to be in close contact with the core block 24. The press machine applies enough force to the front housing 26 to crush the protruding portion 12a. As a result, the space between the front housing 26 and the core block 24 is firmly sealed by the semi-metallic gasket 10A. Note that means other than a press machine may be used as long as the close contact between the front housing 26 and the semi-metallic gasket 10A, and the close contact between the semi-metallic gasket 10A and the core block 24 can be achieved.

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

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

[0044] Furthermore, when sealing the space between the core block 24 and the rear housing 28 with a semi-metallic gasket 10B, the rear housing 28 is treated as a second component, and the above sealing method is performed.

[0045] [Differentiation] The following describes some specific examples of modifications according to the embodiment. Components already described in the embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals. Furthermore, descriptions that overlap with the embodiment will be omitted as much as possible.

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

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

[0048] (Modification 2) Each of the multiple adsorbent portions 14 described in the embodiment extends from the bead portion 12 toward the fourth direction D4. However, it is not limited to this, and each of the multiple adsorbent portions 14 may extend from the bead portion 12 toward the third direction D3.

[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 Figure 3) when the bead portion 12 is in close contact with the first member. Even in this case, the surface pressure received by the bead portion 12 can be made particularly large at the protruding portion 12a.

[0050] (Modification 4) The number of adsorbent portions 14 on the semi-metallic gasket 10 is not limited to multiple; it may be one.

[0051] (Variation 5) In the embodiment, it was explained that the assembly location of the semi-metallic gasket 10 is not particularly limited. In this modified example, specific examples are given.

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

[0053] Alternatively, for example, a bracket may be connected to the rear housing 28. In this case, the semi-metallic gasket 10 may seal the space 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 the space 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] (Experimental variation 6) The number of semi-metallic gaskets 10 on the motor 22 may be changed as needed. For example, the number of semi-metallic gaskets 10 on the motor 22 may be just one.

[0056] Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments and modifications described above, and can take various configurations without departing from the spirit of the invention.

[0057] [Invention obtained from the embodiment] The inventions that can be understood from the above embodiments and modified examples are described below.

[0058] <First Invention> A semi-metallic gasket (10) is provided on a motor (22) which has a first member (24, 26, 28) and a second member (24, 26, 28), each having an annular cross-section, and seals the space between the first member (24, 26, 28) and the second member (24, 26, 28), comprising an annular bead portion (12) made of semimetal and a suction portion (14) that is suctioned by a robot's suction hand, wherein the suction portion (14) protrudes from the bead portion (12) along the width direction of the bead portion (12).

[0059] This provides a semi-metallic gasket (10) that is easily adsorbed by an adsorption handle.

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

[0061] The first member (24, 26, 28) and the second member (24, 26, 28) are connected by a plurality of connecting members (34), and each of the plurality of connecting members (34) has a plurality of insertion parts (16) having a hole (16a) into which it is inserted, and the plurality of insertion parts (16) may be provided on the bead part (12) in a point-symmetrical manner with respect to the center point (P). This makes it easier for a large surface pressure to be applied uniformly to the bead part (12).

[0062] The semi-metallic gasket (10) has at least two adsorbent portions (14), and the two adsorbent portions (14) may be arranged so as to sandwich a virtual straight 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) with an adsorbent hand in a balanced manner (in a horizontal position).

[0063] <Second Invention> A motor (22) provided with the semi-metallic gasket (10) described in the first invention, comprising the first member (24, 26, 28) and the second member (24, 26, 28), wherein the space between the first member (24, 26, 28) and the second member (24, 26, 28) is sealed by the semi-metallic gasket (10).

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

[0065] <The Third Invention> A sealing method for sealing the space between a first member (24, 26, 28) and a second member (24, 26, 28) of a motor (22) using a semi-metallic gasket (10) described in the first invention, comprising: an adsorption step (S1) of adsorbing the adsorbed portion (14) of the semi-metallic gasket (10) with the adsorption hand; a placement step (S2) of placing the semi-metallic gasket (10) adsorbed by the adsorption hand onto the first member (24, 26, 28) of the motor (22); and a contact step (S3) of bringing the second member (24, 26, 28) of the motor (22) into close contact 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 section 14...Attracted part 16...Inserted part 16a…Hole 22…Motor 24…Core block (first member, second member) 26…Front housing (first component, second component) 28…Rear housing (first component, second component) 34...Screw (connecting member) L...Virtual straight line P...center point

Claims

1. A semi-metallic gasket is provided for a motor having a first member and a second member, each having an annular cross-section, and seals the space between the first member and the second member, The ring-shaped bead section is made of semi-metal, Multiple parts to be attached, which protrude from the bead portion and can be attached by the suction hand of a robot that performs the assembly work of the motor, Equipped with, The multiple adsorbent portions are arranged point-symmetrically with respect to the center point of the ring shape of the bead portion, and protrude inward from the ring shape of the bead portion along the width direction of the bead portion. The ring shape of the bead portion is point-symmetric with respect to the center point. The first member and the second member are connected by a plurality of connecting members. The device comprises multiple insertion sections, each having a hole into which one of the multiple connecting members is inserted. Multiple insertion portions are provided on the bead portion in a point-symmetrical manner with respect to the center point. A semi-metallic gasket in which the insertion portion and the adsorbed portion are arranged alternately along the circumferential direction of the bead portion.

2. A semi-metallic gasket according to claim 1, A semi-metallic gasket in which at least two of the adsorbed portions are arranged so as to straddle a virtual straight line passing through a point on the ring-shaped bead portion and the center point.

3. A motor provided with a semi-metallic gasket according to claim 1 or 2, The first member and the second member are provided, A motor in which the space between the first member and the second member is sealed by the semi-metallic gasket.

4. A motor sealing method comprising sealing the space between a first member and a second member of the motor using a semi-metallic gasket according to claim 1 or 2, The suction step involves using the suction hand to adsorb the adsorbed portion of the semi-metallic gasket, A placement step of placing the semi-metallic gasket, which has been adsorbed onto the adsorption hand, onto the first member of the motor, A contact step in which the second member of the motor is brought into close contact with the semi-metallic gasket from the opposite side of the first member, A motor sealing method, including [specific details omitted].

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